NATO PA's Role in Consolidating Article 2 of the Atlantic Alliance Treaty

This article analyses the role of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) in consolidating the principles enshrined in Article 2 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which emphasises democracy, mutual respect, peaceful relations, and the development of free institutions among member states. Drawing on a qualitative, document-based methodology, the study examines the historical evolution, institutional structure, and political functions of NATO PA as an interparliamentary organisation operating within the framework of parliamentary diplomacy. It argues that, despite its advisory and non-binding nature, NATO PA contributes significantly to the promotion of democratic legitimacy, transparency, and political cohesion within the Atlantic Alliance, functioning as an instrument of soft power and a bridge between national parliaments and the intergovernmental dimension of NATO. The article contributes to broader debates on parliamentary diplomacy, security communities, and the political role of parliaments in international security governance.