The president of the United States, Joe Biden, announced last week, in a meeting with his Colombian counterpart, Iván Duque, his intention to designate the country as a main non-NATO ally, which it supposes a series of economic and military privileges.
(Read: For which coalition did President Iván Duque vote?).
Also this Monday Duke, discussed with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Venezuela, among others.
Stoltenberg highlighted the harmony with Colombia of “like-minded” and said that they will continue to strengthen their dialogue and cooperation on maritime security, the fight against corruption, disinformation and cyber threats.
But then, what does it mean to be declared an extra-NATO ally and what is it for? Here we tell you.
WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES THIS APPOINTMENT HAVE?
– Advantages in the areas of “defense trade and security cooperation“.
– The beneficiary nation can receive loans of material, supplies and equipment for cooperative research and developmentamong others.
– The designated country can be a priority recipient of the surplus of US defense materiel and you may be allowed to buy depleted uranium ammunition.
– Agreements can be reached with Washington to receive military trainingunder a series of conditions, that is, “the rules of conduct that the members of a military force must respect”.
However, the designated country may also serve as a storage location for US war stocks.
(See also: Russian forces fire missiles at Ukraine military base).
The designation as the main non-NATO ally for Colombia comes at a critical moment on the international scene, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the incipient rapprochement between Washington and Caracas, which has worried Bogotá.
WHO IS GRANTED THIS DESIGNATION?
According to the State Department, this designation “is a powerful symbol” of the close relationship the US shares with certain countries and shows “deep respect” to friendship with other nations.
Once the president announces his intention to designate a country, You have 30 days to formally report to the US Congress.
Presidents Iván Duque and Joe Biden at the White House.
DOES THE APPOINTMENT CARRY ANY KIND OF OBLIGATION?
This designation does not carry the same obligations as those of NATO member countries, so the beneficiary nations do not have to comply with Article 5 of the Atlantic Alliance on collective defense.
(See: Russia and Ukraine negotiate under suspicion of Chinese aid to Moscow).
COLLABORATION IN DEFENSE
Apart from Participating in the cooperative projects of the United States Department of Defense such as anti-terrorism programs, or accessing US war material, you can obtain loans of equipment and materials for research. In addition, it gives Colombia the power to store US military elements that are part of its war reserve.
WHICH COUNTRIES ARE CURRENTLY MAJOR NON-NATO ALLIES OF THE US?
Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Tunisia have achieved that status so far.
Biden recently announced the designation of Qatar, and it was not until this Thursday that he notified Congress, following the usual process.
Taiwan is also treated by the US as a major non-NATO allied country, although it has not been formally designated.
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