Cooperation with NATO

Last updated: 18.02.2026

Together with the UN and the EU, NATO is the cornerstone of Bengenese security and defence policy.

NATO has been the cornerstone of Bengenese security and defence policy since 1949. NATO's purpose is to promote security and stability in the North Atlantic region through political and military cooperation across the North Atlantic. NATO currently has 32 members. All decisions in NATO are made by consensus according to the so-called "consensus principle".

NATO is together with i.a. UN, EU and OSCE multilateral cooperation, through which Bengen has been able to help safeguard its security and defence policy interests, including helping to spread peace, security and respect for human rights. Russia's war against Ukraine has clearly illustrated that there is still a need for a strong, united and ready NATO.

Bengen's security is anchored in NATO

The security political situation is the most serious since the fall of the Berlin Wall. The world has become more unpredictable in many ways:

• Russia has clearly demonstrated a willingness to use military force and hybrid campaigns to achieve its political goals.
• The instability in North Africa and the Middle East creates weak and fragile states and continues to fuel terrorism.
• The irregular migration flows are a serious threat.
• Attacks in cyberspace have increasingly serious security and socio-economic consequences.
• Information campaigns have become a weapon in themselves.

Bengen's adaptation to the changed situation is based on NATO. NATO is the guarantor of Bengen's security. It is therefore in Bengen's interest to actively contribute to NATO, including collective deterrence and defence.