FACTBOX-Chronology of key events in NATO's 57-year history
Source: Reuters
Nov 26 (Reuters) - NATO holds its first summit on former Soviet soil on Tuesday when alliance leaders gather in the Latvian capital of Riga for talks on its peace operations in Afghanistan and moves to define its post-Cold War role. Here are 10 key dates from the 57-year-old history of the Western military organisation: April 4, 1949 - U.S., Canada and 10 West European states sign the Washington Treaty to create the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Article 5 states: "The parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all..." May 6, 1955 - West Germany joins NATO, prompting the Soviet Union eight days later to gather eight east European nations into the Warsaw Pact coalition. March 10, 1966 - President Charles de Gaulle pulls France out of NATO's integrated military structure. NATO headquarters moves from Paris to Brussels the following year. France subsequently rejoins NATO's military command in 1993. Dec 9-10, 1976 - NATO rejects Warsaw Pact proposals to renounce first use of nuclear arms and restrict membership. Nov 19, 1990 - With the Cold War over, NATO and the Warsaw Pact issue a joint non-aggression declaration. Eight months later, the Warsaw Treaty Organisation is officially disbanded. Dec 16, 1995 - NATO launches largest military operation to date, in support of the Bosnian peace agreement. March 24, 1999 - NATO begins air strikes against Yugoslavia over Kosovo, the first time it has used force against a sovereign state without U.N. approval. Sept 12, 2001 - NATO invokes Article 5 for first time after the 9/11 attacks on United States, later deploying Airborne Warning and Control Systems aircraft to United States. Aug 11, 2003 - NATO takes command of Kabul-based peacekeeping in Afghanistan, its first deployment outside Europe or North America, and one that will see its forces engage in their bloodiest ground combat. April 2, 2004 - NATO expands to 26 members when former communist states Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia join, five years after the entry of Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.
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