Partnership for Peace (PfP) is based on the principles that underpin the NATO Alliance and aims to enhance stability and diminish threat levels by building strong security relationships between NATO and partner countries on a bi-lateral level. A framework document outlines the specific undertakings for each PfP country and each one makes a commitment to uphold the rule of law and to fulfil the obligations of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act as well as international disarmament and arms control agreements. The framework document also contains a commitment by the Allies to consult with any partner country that perceives a direct threat to its territorial integrity, political independence or security.

Each country has an individual partnership programme agreed between it and NATO based on that county’s specific needs. NATO and PfP countries exercise together and serve along-side each other in NATO–led operations. They also cooperate on counter terrorism and counter WMD proliferation activities as well as curbing the threat posed by landmines and arms stockpiles.

There are currently 24 PfP countries – Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Finland, Georgia, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.