Dyplomacja osobista szefów państw i rządów w procesie decyzyjnym NATO

The term summit implies a well-established in international relations yet specific form of diplomacy waged personally by the heads of state and government according to their constitutional powers. The evolution of this international phenomenon has shaped its forms and expected deliverables, while modern means of transportation and communication have increased their frequency, making them a visible sign of leaders’ involvement in foreign relations, pursued sometimes at the expense of „traditional” diplomacy. NATO summits have evolved as a key instrument of strategic decision-making and public diplomacy of the Alliance. They raise the political profile of the organisation, rubber-stamping the daily diplomatic efforts of its member-states. While consuming the results of these efforts, they also set the highest-level agenda for the short and mid-term perspective. They also consolidate NATO outreach activities beyond collective defence.