Study on NATO Enlargement

Brussels, Belgium - 3 September 1995

The “Study on NATO Enlargement,” published on September 3, 1995, outlines the purposes, principles, and implications of expanding NATO membership. The study emphasizes that enlargement aims to enhance stability and security across the Euro-Atlantic area without creating new divisions, viewing security as a broad concept encompassing political, economic, and defense components.

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Key Purposes of Enlargement

• Encouraging democratic reforms
• Fostering cooperation among allies
• Promoting good-neighborly relations
• Strengthening common defense
• Reinforcing integration based on shared democratic values
• Enhancing NATO’s ability to contribute to European and international security

Principles of Enlargement

• New members must conform to the basic principles of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law, as outlined in the UN Charter and the Washington Treaty.
• Accession will be by unanimous agreement of existing members.
• New members will assume all rights and obligations of membership.
• The process is intended to strengthen the Alliance’s effectiveness and cohesion, be part of a broader European security architecture, and complement the enlargement of the European Union.

Military and Defense Implications

• New members are expected to contribute to collective defense, participate in the command structure, engage in conventional forces training and exercises, and support the Alliance’s nuclear posture.
• New members are expected to meet NATO interoperability standards and contribute to commonly funded programs.

Process of Enlargement

• The process of enlargement is described as gradual, deliberate, and transparent, with decisions made on a case-by-case basis.
• Active participation in the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program is highlighted as an important means for prospective members to prepare for the responsibilities of eventual membership.

Relations with Russia

• The study also addresses relations with Russia, emphasizing the desire for constructive, cooperative relations to enhance stability and security in Europe, while asserting that NATO decisions cannot be subject to a veto by a non-member state.