Political Consultation in NATO

Abstract

"There cannot be unity in defence and disunity in
foreign policy." These words, uttered approxi nately a
quarter of a century ago, by NATO's "three wise men," hold
true today, as they did in 1956.What these words allude to,
is the very essence of what holds NATO together. This is
the practice of political consultation. Political consultation
is the most important factor for the continuation and
growth of the alliance. Indeed, it is the sine qua non of the
alliance which was created to counter imminent threat
from outside forces to the territorlal integrity and the
well-being of its member states.
Political consultation and collective discussion is not
merely talking about various policy options; it is the means
through which harmonious, and perhaps common, lines of
policy can be agreed upon.

Keywords

• Political
• Consultation
• NATO