21 November 2002
NATO Secretary General Robertson Welcomes Seven New Members
(Secretary General presides as Prague Summit enlarges alliance)
The latest round of enlargement will boost NATO's strength, cohesion
and vitality, the alliance's secretary general, Lord George Robertson,
said November 21 as current members voted to add seven more nations to
their number.
Their decision at the Prague Summit sets the stage for formal
accession talks with Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania,
Slovakia and Slovenia.
Following is the text of Lord Robertson's announcement of enlargement.
(begin text)
NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson
Meeting of the North Atlantic Council
At the level of Heads of State and Government
From its inception, NATO has never been an exclusive organisation.
From 12 original countries, we enlarged successively to 14, 15, 16 and
then, in 1999, to 19.
NATO's door is still open. In 1999, NATO leaders set up a Membership
Action Plan to assist countries across Europe to prepare for eventual
membership. Aspirant countries have been working hard to modernise and
reform their armed forces, and to meet NATO's very high standards on
values, the rule of law and robust democratic institutions.
All aspirants have been faced with tough and difficult decisions. It
is a reflection of their political determination to join NATO that
they have met this challenge.
In June last year, NATO leaders announced their intention to issue
further invitations to join the Alliance.
Since then, we have been working to ensure that NATO itself is ready
to enlarge. As a result of a comprehensive internal reform process, an
organisation designed originally for 12 members will be ready to
operate as effectively with over twice that number.
We can therefore say with complete confidence that this round of
enlargement will maintain and increase NATO's strength, cohesion and
vitality, and that it is not directed against the security interests
of any partner state.
You have recently received a Comprehensive report on the enlargement
process. Today, we decide on further invitations to countries to begin
Accession Talks.
This is a crucially important decision where consensus among Allies
has emerged gradually over the last few months. I believe that
consensus has now been reached. I therefore put to the Heads of State
and Government of NATO that they agree that we invite to Accession
talks with NATO the following nations: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. I take it that this is
agreed - the Council has so decided.
Having reached this momentous decision, I would now like to give the
floor to the members of the NAC at Heads of State and Government.
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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