The North Atlantic Treaty, pledging twelve nations of the North Atlantic area - Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Potugal, the United Kingdom and the United States - to the principles of collective security and non-agression, was signed on 4th April 1949 in ceremonies held at the Departmental Auditorium, Washington DC. Signing the historic document for their respective Governments were the foreign ministers of the participating countries, and the ambassadord or ministers from those countries to the United States. Signing for the host country, the United States, was Dean Acheson, Secretary of State. In brief addresses preceding the signing, the foreign ministers stressed the defensive nature of the past and emphasised that it could strengthen the United Nations. Highlighting the ceremonies was an address by President Harry S Truman of the United States, who hailed the pact as "a long step towards permanent peace in the world." Photo shows the interior of the Departmental Auditorium, Washington, DC during the North Atlantic Treaty signing ceremonies on 4th April 1949. Addressing the audience is Foreign Minister Joseph Boch of Luxembourg (standing, centre background). Seated behind him on the platform are the representative of the twelve participating nations who signed the Treaty for their Governments.