Poland’s defense preparations in the context of allied obligations. Legal, institutional, and instrumental aspects

Abstract

Poland’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1999 was one of the most critical events in the Third Republic history. The integration process with NATO’s political and military structures is long-term and requires the constant commitment of all state structures and institutions. Participation in the joint creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Member States’ defense force means, under Article 3 of the Treaty, the states’ maintenance and development of individual and joint capacity to counter armed attack. Thereby Poland is also obliged to conduct defense preparations in the national dimension. It requires providing formal, legal, and organizational conditions for the country’s functioning in the event of increasing the national defense readiness. Such conditions are necessary to perform tasks as part of national defense carried out on its territory and the territory of other states – the Members of the Alliance. The content presented in this article attempts to present legal, institutional, and instrumental aspects of defense preparations in Poland in the context of allied obligations. They concern the need for all NATO Member States to maintain and develop individual and joint capabilities to counter an armed attack. Given the nature of the problem, it should be remembered that Poland’s integration with NATO takes place both in the defense sphere and in economic, social, legal, and political matters.