The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) itself clarified that the Washington Treaty, the Alliance’s founding document, does not provide for any mechanism for the suspension of a member state.

“The NATO Founding Treaty does not contain any provision relating to the suspension of NATO membership, expulsion, or limited participation,” an official told Europa Press in Brussels.

He emphasized that the only way for a member state to leave the Atlantic Alliance is at its own discretion, as stipulated in Article 13 of the Washington Treaty. The Minister of Social Rights, Pablo Bustinduy, emphasized that Spain is a sovereign country and is taking the correct stance regarding international conflicts.

“Here we have a sovereign country, here we have a government that defends the general interest, and the position we have defended has been recognized worldwide as a benchmark, and I feel absolutely proud,” he told the press after a meeting with the team of expert lawyers from the Center for Advice and Social Studies (CAES).

From Nicosia, Cyprus, where he is attending an extraordinary European Union summit, the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, downplayed the leaks claiming that the Pentagon is exploring suspending Spain’s membership in NATO.

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