NATO member states sign protocols on accession of new member states [26 Mar 2003]

On 26 March 2003, an extraordinary meeting of the North Atlantic Council was held at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. At the meeting, NATO member states signed the protocols on accession of seven new member states to the Alliance. Latvia was represented at the meeting by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete.

In her address to the meeting, the Minister noted the need to strengthen the role and unity of NATO and reinforce the transatlantic link. The Minister pointed out that the signatures of the ambassadors of the NATO countries on Latvia's Accession Protocol symbolize the fact that in the face of threats Latvia will never again stand alone. For its part, Latvia is ready to be a trustworthy Ally, and make its contribution to the strengthening of peace and security. Ms Kalniete also urged NATO member states to do everything possible to ensure the speedy ratification of the Accession Protocols.

NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson emphasized that this is the first time in the history of NATO that the Accession Protocols of so many countries have been signed at the one time. Lord Robertson praised the achievements of the invited countries on their way to NATO membership and acknowledged that this day was testimony to their hard work.

Prior to the signing ceremony, the Minister of Foreign Affairs met with the US Ambassador to NATO Mr Nicholas Burns. Mr Burns congratulated Latvia on this important day and acknowledged that the US had made the right choice in inviting the seven new member states to join NATO, as this will strengthen the Alliance both politically and militarily.

The Accession Protocols are amendments to the NATO founding treaty which, following their signature and ratification in NATO member states, allow invited countries to become full-fledged NATO member states.

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