Myths about NATO

MYTH 1. NATO IS AN AGGRESSIVE BLOCK

NATO's task is collective security and defense, not attack or aggression, as stated in the Organization's founding document - Washington Treaty of 1949. NATO in its principles and activities adheres to UN norms and acts under its mandate.

The idea is to unite on a permanent basis for peace logical opposition to the challenges of World War II and necessity joint actions of the Allies in the fight against fascism. It was laid US President FD Roosevelt and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom W. Churchill in August 1941 during the signing of the "Atlantic Charter". The document, which established the foundations for the creation of NATO, was the basis The United Nations Declaration of 1942 and later the United Nations.

MYTH 2. NEUTRALITY - A RELIABLE GUARANTEE OF COUNTRY SECURITY

World experience shows that neutrality today is economically, politically and safely unprofitable. New unforeseen threats and security challenges put before each civilized country the problem of choice: military neutrality or participation in the system of collective security.

At the same time, ensuring neutrality requires the involvement of significant financial resources. In neutral European countries, everything is clearer there is a tendency to reconsider their status, growing opinion about renunciation of neutrality. So neutral are Austria, Sweden, and Switzerland Finland, while not a member of the Alliance, is actively involved, like Ukraine, in NATO's Partnership for Peace program. Finland has begun preparations until the final harmonization of the standards of its Armed Forces and infrastructure with NATO standards, which could actually mean the beginning of the accession process. Sweden has its own military contingent as part of an ongoing peacekeeping force NATO's reconstruction operation in Afghanistan. In addition, all these countries except Switzerland, is a member of the EU, which implements a single foreign and security a policy to establish an EU Rapid Reaction Force.

MYTH 3. NATO MEMBERSHIP IS EXPENSIVE

There is a recommendation in NATO that the national defense spending of an Alliance member country should be around 2% of GDP. Back in 2000, the Supreme The Council decided to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP, however, real expenditures in 2005 amounted to 1.452% of GDP. NATO's military component requires significant investment in within the national budget. However, the main money is not spent on increasing the number of weapons, and their qualitative improvement and creation normal conditions of service and life for servicemen and their families.

In European countries, the military spends money on goods from shops and services of service firms, helping to create new workers places and improving the socio-economic situation of local residents.

MYTH 4. IN THE MODERN WORLD THERE IS NO OBJECTIVE THE NEED FOR THE EXISTENCE OF NATO

Initially, NATO was created to oppose the socialist system, rather than the threat posed by the international terrorism of civilization, including both large and small countries. It is now clear that joint action is needed against the common threat. The nature of the threat has changed, the means needed to combat it - too, but the principle has remained the same - collective defense of countries united by common values. We can say that the modern understanding of security has changed. However, the need to provide it remained, even became more acute than in the late 40s of last century. The North Atlantic Alliance throughout its existence showed the ability to adapt and flexibility towards changes to the global security architecture.

MYTH 5. NATO MEMBERSHIP DETERIORES INVESTMENT CLIMATE

It is known that any investor, before investing their money in any country, be sure to check the stability of its political and economic systems. Because the probability of interstate wars in Europe is almost equal zero, the investor most likely wants to know - what guarantees that his company will not impose huge taxes tomorrow? Where is the certainty that it is not at all nationalized? That will not ban foreign investment and will not force its close the case? NATO membership is the best answer to these questions.

The procedure for joining the Alliance is a comprehensive political expertise and the country's economic system. If the state passes it and becomes a member NATO, this means that it is stable and predictable politically and economic partner. Also, experience the latest waves of expansion Alliance, when the countries of Central and Eastern Europe became members, shows that that during the implementation by these states of national programs from the Action Plan on membership and negotiations on accession volumes of foreign direct investment, especially in Western countries, has increased by billions of dollars.

MYTH 6. COUNTRIES LOSE WITH NATO ACCESSION SOVEREIGNTY

Such a scenario is impossible and illogical for NATO members. All without exclusion of a decision on any issue relating to the activities of the Alliance or its members within the Alliance, are decided by consensus, ie mutual consent. This means that for the existence of objections from at least one country, the decision cannot be made. The Council works on this principle UN security, which does not include all members with a permanent veto organizations, but only five. In this sense, NATO is more democratic organization.

MYTH 7. ALLIANCE MEMBERS IN GENERAL, AND EUROPEANS SPECIFICALLY, DANCING UNDER THE AMERICAN PIPE

The United States today is one of the strongest in the military and economic sense of the world. It is the United States that has the most burden of military and financial contribution to the Alliance. American presence in Europe has always played the role of an insurance policy for countries continent. US opinion does not always coincide with the point of view of Europeans, but also Europeans themselves do not always speak with one voice.

Europeans are concerned that the United States is determined in a military confrontation terrorist threats that they, based on their own national interests and doctrines of conduct are not going to put up with the existence of threats and challenges for their country and its citizens around the world, and spend too little funds to support and develop the world's poorest countries.

Americans, for their part, are frustrated with Europe's inability to act and to act in a coordinated manner, to develop one's defense potential, to play it slowly existing and often inefficient and bureaucratic institutions.

If the governments of Europe and the United States continue to communicate, no hearing each other, NATO will not be able to be an effective organization, but if they work together, then NATO will have a future like mechanism for achieving a common goal.

MYTH 8. NATO MEMBERSHIP LEADS TO TRANSFORMATION COUNTRIES TO MILITARY CAMPS FILLED WITH NATO BASES

Article 17 of the Constitution of the Ukrainian state prohibits placement foreign military bases on the territory of Ukraine and, accordingly, the adoption of such the decision without taking into account the attitude of the people of Ukraine to it can regarded only as an attempt to usurp power.

At the same time, it should be noted that the location of military garrisons creates new opportunities for employment in the population. It known even since Soviet times.

In particular, for Ukraine consent to the temporary stay of the Russian base in Crimea until 2042 provided an opportunity to pay for debts for supplies energy, to provide the state with cheap energy for some time, to solve the problem of belonging to the Soviet military heritage and turn over page of difficult relations with the neighbor.

MYTH 9. UKRAINIAN PEACEKEEPERS - "CANNON MEAT" IN ALLIANCE PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

To participate in international peacekeeping operations today only professional soldiers will be involved and will be involved in the future on a voluntary basis. Almost all NATO member countries have professionals armies in which there is no conscription. In addition, the decision on referral Ukrainian military contingents in the international peacekeeping operations are adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

MYTH 10. UKRAINE IS OBLIGATED TO PARTICIPATE IN EVERYONE NATO MILITARY OPERATIONS

Each NATO member country decides for itself whether to participate a specific NATO military operation. It is also important that all decisions are in NATO adopted by consensus. That is, there can be no solution in NATO approved for disagreement of at least one Allied country.

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MYTH 1. NATO IS AN AGGRESSIVE BLOCK

NATO's task is collective security and defense, not attack or aggression, as stated in the Organization's founding document - Washington Treaty of 1949. NATO in its principles and activities adheres to UN norms and acts under its mandate.

The idea is to unite on a permanent basis for peace logical opposition to the challenges of World War II and necessity joint actions of the Allies in the fight against fascism. It was laid US President FD Roosevelt and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom W. Churchill in August 1941 during the signing of the "Atlantic Charter". The document, which established the foundations for the creation of NATO, was the basis The United Nations Declaration of 1942 and later the United Nations.

MYTH 2. NEUTRALITY - A RELIABLE GUARANTEE OF COUNTRY SECURITY

World experience shows that neutrality today is economically, politically and safely unprofitable. New unforeseen threats and security challenges put before each civilized country the problem of choice: military neutrality or participation in the system of collective security.

At the same time, ensuring neutrality requires the involvement of significant financial resources. In neutral European countries, everything is clearer there is a tendency to reconsider their status, growing opinion about renunciation of neutrality. So neutral are Austria, Sweden, and Switzerland Finland, while not a member of the Alliance, is actively involved, like Ukraine, in NATO's Partnership for Peace program. Finland has begun preparations until the final harmonization of the standards of its Armed Forces and infrastructure with NATO standards, which could actually mean the beginning of the accession process. Sweden has its own military contingent as part of an ongoing peacekeeping force NATO's reconstruction operation in Afghanistan. In addition, all these countries except Switzerland, is a member of the EU, which implements a single foreign and security a policy to establish an EU Rapid Reaction Force.

MYTH 3. NATO MEMBERSHIP IS EXPENSIVE

There is a recommendation in NATO that the national defense spending of an Alliance member country should be around 2% of GDP. Back in 2000, the Supreme The Council decided to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP, however, real expenditures in 2005 amounted to 1.452% of GDP. NATO's military component requires significant investment in within the national budget. However, the main money is not spent on increasing the number of weapons, and their qualitative improvement and creation normal conditions of service and life for servicemen and their families.

In European countries, the military spends money on goods from shops and services of service firms, helping to create new workers places and improving the socio-economic situation of local residents.

MYTH 4. IN THE MODERN WORLD THERE IS NO OBJECTIVE THE NEED FOR THE EXISTENCE OF NATO

Initially, NATO was created to oppose the socialist system, rather than the threat posed by the international terrorism of civilization, including both large and small countries. It is now clear that joint action is needed against the common threat. The nature of the threat has changed, the means needed to combat it - too, but the principle has remained the same - collective defense of countries united by common values. We can say that the modern understanding of security has changed. However, the need to provide it remained, even became more acute than in the late 40s of last century. The North Atlantic Alliance throughout its existence showed the ability to adapt and flexibility towards changes to the global security architecture.

MYTH 5. NATO MEMBERSHIP DETERIORES INVESTMENT CLIMATE

It is known that any investor, before investing their money in any country, be sure to check the stability of its political and economic systems. Because the probability of interstate wars in Europe is almost equal zero, the investor most likely wants to know - what guarantees that his company will not impose huge taxes tomorrow? Where is the certainty that it is not at all nationalized? That will not ban foreign investment and will not force its close the case? NATO membership is the best answer to these questions.

The procedure for joining the Alliance is a comprehensive political expertise and the country's economic system. If the state passes it and becomes a member NATO, this means that it is stable and predictable politically and economic partner. Also, experience the latest waves of expansion Alliance, when the countries of Central and Eastern Europe became members, shows that that during the implementation by these states of national programs from the Action Plan on membership and negotiations on accession volumes of foreign direct investment, especially in Western countries, has increased by billions of dollars.

MYTH 6. COUNTRIES LOSE WITH NATO ACCESSION SOVEREIGNTY

Such a scenario is impossible and illogical for NATO members. All without exclusion of a decision on any issue relating to the activities of the Alliance or its members within the Alliance, are decided by consensus, ie mutual consent. This means that for the existence of objections from at least one country, the decision cannot be made. The Council works on this principle UN security, which does not include all members with a permanent veto organizations, but only five. In this sense, NATO is more democratic organization.

MYTH 7. ALLIANCE MEMBERS IN GENERAL, AND EUROPEANS SPECIFICALLY, DANCING UNDER THE AMERICAN PIPE

The United States today is one of the strongest in the military and economic sense of the world. It is the United States that has the most burden of military and financial contribution to the Alliance. American presence in Europe has always played the role of an insurance policy for countries continent. US opinion does not always coincide with the point of view of Europeans, but also Europeans themselves do not always speak with one voice.

Europeans are concerned that the United States is determined in a military confrontation terrorist threats that they, based on their own national interests and doctrines of conduct are not going to put up with the existence of threats and challenges for their country and its citizens around the world, and spend too little funds to support and develop the world's poorest countries.

Americans, for their part, are frustrated with Europe's inability to act and to act in a coordinated manner, to develop one's defense potential, to play it slowly existing and often inefficient and bureaucratic institutions.

If the governments of Europe and the United States continue to communicate, no hearing each other, NATO will not be able to be an effective organization, but if they work together, then NATO will have a future like mechanism for achieving a common goal.

MYTH 8. NATO MEMBERSHIP LEADS TO TRANSFORMATION COUNTRIES TO MILITARY CAMPS FILLED WITH NATO BASES

Article 17 of the Constitution of the Ukrainian state prohibits placement foreign military bases on the territory of Ukraine and, accordingly, the adoption of such the decision without taking into account the attitude of the people of Ukraine to it can regarded only as an attempt to usurp power.

At the same time, it should be noted that the location of military garrisons creates new opportunities for employment in the population. It known even since Soviet times.

In particular, for Ukraine consent to the temporary stay of the Russian base in Crimea until 2042 provided an opportunity to pay for debts for supplies energy, to provide the state with cheap energy for some time, to solve the problem of belonging to the Soviet military heritage and turn over page of difficult relations with the neighbor.

MYTH 9. UKRAINIAN PEACEKEEPERS - "CANNON MEAT" IN ALLIANCE PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS

To participate in international peacekeeping operations today only professional soldiers will be involved and will be involved in the future on a voluntary basis. Almost all NATO member countries have professionals armies in which there is no conscription. In addition, the decision on referral Ukrainian military contingents in the international peacekeeping operations are adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

MYTH 10. UKRAINE IS OBLIGATED TO PARTICIPATE IN EVERYONE NATO MILITARY OPERATIONS

Each NATO member country decides for itself whether to participate a specific NATO military operation. It is also important that all decisions are in NATO adopted by consensus. That is, there can be no solution in NATO approved for disagreement of at least one Allied country.

Source link:

https://ukraine-nato.mfa.gov.ua/ua / about-nato / myths-about-nato