Senate of the Czech Republic Approves Latvia's Entry into NATO [07 Aug 2003]

On 7 August 2003, the upper house (Senate) of the Parliament of the Czech Republic ratified by an overwhelming majority (60 votes in favour, 2 against) the Protocols on Accession to NATO of the seven countries - including Latvia - invited to join the Alliance at last year's NATO Prague Summit, in doing so manifesting its support for the entry of these countries into NATO. The agreement on accession of the seven countries has yet to be promulgated by the Czech President. The lower house (Chamber of Deputies) of the Parliament of the Czech Republic ratified the Protocols on 24 July.

Latvia is grateful to the Czech Republic for its support for Latvia's integration into NATO, as well as for the practical assistance given and contribution made towards this process over many years.

The Czech Republic is the ninth of nineteen NATO member countries whose Parliament has expressed support for the largest round of enlargement in NATO history. The Protocols on Accession have previously been ratified by Canada, Norway, the United States, Denmark, Hungary, Luxembourg, Germany and Italy.

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