Partnership: One of NATO’s fundamental security tasks

At the Washington Summit in 1999, allied leaders set out their vision of an alliance with new missions, new members, new partnerships, and a commitment to strengthen its defence capabilities. The new Strategic concept recognised parnership as one of the fundamental security tasks of the alliance, and most summit initiatives had a partnership dimension. Drawing together the different elements of the Partnership for Peace that were strengthened at the summit, this article highlights the vision guiding the evolution of NATO's relationship with its partners.