Communist and workers’ parties from across the world united in demanding the dissolution of the US-led Nato military alliance on its 65th anniversary at the weekend.

The joint statement For Peace! No to Nato! was signed by 49 parties from five continents and noted that the imperialist military bloc “has extended the territorial scope of its interference, aggression and occupation, deepening its role as the armed wing of the big transnational monopolies.”

It called attention to the US, Nato and the European Union’s responsibility for “the growing militarisation of international relations” and highlighted the “brutal aggression” the alliance had demonstrated time and again in wars against Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya, as well as through interference in Syria and threats against Iran.

Communists pointed out that Nato has been an imperialist bloc ever since its creation, beginning with its policy of confrontation with the Soviet Union and other socialist countries.

And despite its use of hyped-up threats to justify its continued existence, the US and its allies are responsible for over two-thirds of global military expenditure today, locking the world into an “unending arms race.”

Parties committed to opposing Nato expansion, the militarisation of the EU and the so-called “anti-missile system” in Europe.

And they demanded nuclear disarmament, an end to foreign military bases and the immediate withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and other countries under occupation — while affirming their solidarity with peoples who resist imperialist aggression.

The full statement and the list of signatories can be viewed at www.communist-party.org.uk