The
NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO-PA), originally called the North Atlantic
Assembly (NAA), is an inter-parliamentary organization founded in 1955 in order
to enable representatives of the parliaments of members of NATO to meet and
discuss common security problems. Today it includes representatives of the
legislative bodies of the 28 members of NATO as well as of 14 associated
countries, of 4 Mediterranean associated countries and of observers from 7
other countries.
The NATO-PA comprises 257 members plus 66 parliamentarians who represent
associated delegations. The total number of delegates taking part in the
activities of the Assembly is approximately 360. Most of these parliamentarians
are members of defence committees in their own countries. The chairmen and
deputy chairmen of the Swiss Committees on Security Policy thus have the
opportunity to meet their counterparts when they attend NATO-PA functions.