The Hungarian Atlantic Council (MAT) was established in 1992 as a non-profit, non-governmental organisation and was reorganised in 1999. Its original mission was to promote Hungary’s accession to NATO and to encourage the broad acceptance of Euro-Atlantic principles and values within Hungarian society. MAT played a key role in the process that led to the 1997 referendum, in which 85% of Hungarian voters supported joining the North Atlantic Alliance—an approval rate that remains the highest in NATO’s history.
MAT places special emphasis on a broad interpretation of security, including nuclear safety, the sustainable use of energy resources, the challenges of climate change, and the fight against terrorism. Its youth section, the Hungarian Youth Atlantic Council Foundation (MIAT Foundation), is dedicated to informing younger generations and promoting the ideals of transatlantic cooperation. As a full member of the Atlantic Treaty Association (ATA), MAT actively participates in the work of the international Atlantic community and supports Hungary’s active engagement within the Alliance.
