charles de gaulle stepped out the nazo in 66
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france-priorities_1/international-organizations_1100/international-organization-in-europe_2482/north-atlantic-treaty-organization-nato_2095/organization-and-mission_5301/france-position-in-nato_8219.htmlFrance’s position in NATO
France occupies a specific position in NATO:
France has been a member of the Atlantic Alliance since it was founded (North Atlantic Treaty, signed in Washington on 4 April 1949). Since 1966, France has no longer been part of NATO’s integrated military structure (no Allied headquarters on French territory, no French forces under permanent Allied command, no participation in the defence planning process, independent nuclear deterrence). However, this decision did not prevent the development of military cooperation between France and the integrated structure during the Cold War.
After the Yugoslavian crisis, France changed its position within NATO (presence in the Military Committee, officers included in SHAPE because of our participation in the operations), without returning to the integrated command, however.
France participates fully in all of NATO’s political bodies (Atlantic Council and its committees), but it does not participate in the DPC (Defence Planning Committee, with 25 members, having authority over the integrated structure).
France is a key contributor to NATO’s activities:
From a human resources standpoint: · KFOR (Kosovo), 2000 men · ISAF (Afghanistan), 970 men · 13% of the members of the NRF, on average
From a financial standpoint: France contributes up to 13.75% to the civilian budget and up to 12.87% to the military budget.
From a political standpoint: key contribution for the definition of the principal choices concerning the evolution of NATO’s activities. In addition to participating in operations, France has chosen to be present in new structures, which are driving the modernization of NATO (Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk and NATO’s rapid rea,,