Consider the following countries:

How many of the above are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?

(a) Only three

(b) Only four

(c) Only five

(d) All the six

Answer: (b) Only four

Explanation:

I. Austria – Not a member
Austria follows a policy of permanent neutrality, declared in 1955. Because of this neutral status, Austria has never joined NATO, though it cooperates with NATO under the Partnership for Peace programme.

II. Bulgaria – Member
Bulgaria became a NATO member in 2004 as part of NATO’s eastward expansion after the Cold War. It is an active member of the alliance.

III. Croatia – Member
Croatia joined NATO in 2009, strengthening NATO’s presence in the Balkans and contributing to regional security.

IV. Serbia – Not a member
Serbia is not a NATO member and maintains a policy of military neutrality. Historical reasons, especially NATO’s 1999 bombing during the Kosovo conflict, have influenced Serbia’s stance. Serbia cooperates with NATO only through partnership frameworks.

V. Sweden – Member
Sweden officially became a NATO member in March 2024, ending its long-standing policy of military neutrality due to security concerns after the Russia–Ukraine war.

VI. North Macedonia – Member
North Macedonia joined NATO in 2020, after resolving the name dispute with Greece through the Prespa Agreement.

Correct Answer: (b) Only four