During the Cold War, NATO’s main task was to deter – by political and military measures – the Soviet Union from its potential aggression and to mount joint defence in case of a conflict. In the broader political perspective, NATO saw its role as a supporter of the principles of international law and standards of cooperation between states laid down in the United Nations Charter.

NATO’s endurance and coherence has been the foundation of security in the region. It is of particular importance in the face of the war in Ukraine and its heroic struggle to defend its sovereignty.

On 12 March 1999, Poland joined NATO alongside the Czech Republic and Hungary, and has been an integral part of the North Atlantic Treaty security system ever since. In 2023, 3.9% of Poland’s GDP was spent on armaments, which is far beyond the 2% threshold under allied commitments. According to the si vis pacem, para bellum principle (“if you want peace, prepare for war”), a strong and numerous army is also being build. In this context, after NATO’s ministerial meeting in Brussels, Minister Radosław Sikorski noted that Poland is currently the country which spends the largest part of its GDP on defence throughout the Alliance. “We hope that's inspiration to others,” added the chief of Polish diplomacy.

Organised today in Brussels, the ceremony marking this year's anniversary is part of a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers, the last formal meeting before the Alliance's July summit in Washington, D.C. Thursday's meeting agenda also included a NATO-Ukraine Council session to discuss the situation at the frontlines and Kyiv’s current needs regarding arms supplies. Moreover, a meeting is to be held with NATO partners: the European Union and the representatives of the Alliance's partners in the Asia-Pacific region.