NATO Parliamentary Assembly

Since its foundation in 1955, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly has provided a critical forum for international parliamentary dialogue on the work of its "big sister", the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). A total of 248 parliamentarians from the 26 member nationsand a further 59 parliamentarians from the 13 countries which have been granted associate member statusare committed to ensuring that the Assembly acts as a link between NATO and the national parliaments. Its other aims include fostering dialogue and cooperation among parliamentarians on major security and defence issues, andstrengthening transatlantic solidarity. The Members of the Assembly adopt resolutions, declarations and reports with the aim of bringing their influence to bear the work of governments within the NATO framework.

The Bundestag sends 12 Members and their alternates, who sit on the Assembly's five committees: the Political Committee, the Defence and Security Committee, the Economics and Security Committee, the Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security, and the Science and Technology Committee. The delegation, which also includes six members of the Bundesrat, is headed by Dr. Karl A. Lamers (CDU/CSU). Markus Meckel (SPD) is the deputy head of the Bundestag delegation. The Treasurer, Lothar Ibrügger (SPD), is also a Member of the German Bundestag. The NATO Parliamentary Assembly is funded by contributions from the member parliaments.