| Popis: |
Based on an analysis of the provisions of the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty and a number of other NATO regulations, the article analyses the membership criteria and accession process to the Organization. In particular, the Treaty of 1949 has been found to contain requirements that are imposed on States applying for membership of the Organization, but they are rather broad, abstract in nature, and are therefore specified in Alliance normative documents. In addition, the process of preparing the country for membership in the Alliance, which is conditionally composed of two stages: the stage of NATO Intensified Dialogue on Membership and relevant reforms and the stage of the NATO Membership Action Plan, have been of great importance in this area. These stages are governed by Alliance regulations, namely the Study on NATO Enlargement 1995 and the NATO Membership Action Plan 1999. However, their provisions are not considered to be criteria for membership of the Organization, and the fulfilment of their conditions does not give rise to a commitment by NATO to accept the State concerned. At the same time, passing these steps can help prepare the country for possible membership in the Alliance, and it is therefore crucial for Ukraine, which is undergoing an Intensified Dialogue, to identify the specific features of the next phase, the NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP). The article underlines that, as part of its passage to Ukraine, it may present itself as requirements that are difficult to fulfill (for example, if it is expected to submit its views and substantiate its willingness and ability to comply with the NATO acquis, which includes the NATO-Russia Founding Act), and requirements that significantly delay the moment of NATO membership (for example, if Ukraine is expected to resolve international disputes peacefully and establish good neighbourly relations with states). The article also emphasizes that the process of inviting a country to NATO membership, governed by Articles 10 and 11 of the 1949 Treaty, is also quite complicated, since it requires the unanimity of NATO member states (now 29) on this issue. Moreover, regaining control of Ukraine over the territory of the ORDLO, whose population is hostile to the state's aspirations to become a member of the EU and NATO, may violate the current national consensus on the subject and complicate the ratification of the 1949 Treaty. |
