The Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) is a post–Cold War, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) institution.

The EAPC is a multilateral forum created to improve relations between NATO and non-NATO countries in Europe and Central Asia.

It was formed on 29 May 1997 at a Ministers’ meeting held in Sintra, Portugal, as the successor to the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC), which was created in 1991.

NATO launched the PfP with the goal of forging a real partnership of peace, instead of simply engaging in the dialogue.

Its role was to expand and intensify political and military cooperation throughout Europe, increase stability, diminish threats to peace, and build relationships.

[5] By 1997, the Allies involved in the NACC recognized the desire to build a security forum that would include other Western European partners.

In addition to this, the EAPC is tasked with promoting and coordinating practical cooperation and exchange of expertise in key areas such as combatting terrorism, border security, and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and small arms.

Its goal was to engage with civil society and recognize the role NGOs play in NATO’s agenda regarding peace-building and reconstruction, particularly in areas of the Balkans and Afghanistan.

NATO noted that delegates had the opportunity to hold deeper discussions on Euro-Atlantic issues compared to regular ministerial meetings.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the Secretary-General of NATO stated that they wanted participants from a range of professional backgrounds to bring about ideas, have open discussions, and understand different perspectives.

According to Ingrid Lundestad, the inclusion of Russia within the EAPC was understood to provide reconciliation and stability to the United States and the Euro-Atlantic region.

Arms control in Europe is also discussed within the Council, and Russia finds an additional incentive to be a part of the EAPC due to this.