10th anniversary of U.S.-Baltic Charter marked today

January 16 marks the 10^th anniversary since the day when in 1998, the Presidents of the United States, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia signed the U.S.-Baltic Charter of Partnership.

With the accession of the Baltic states to NATO and to EU in 2004, the principal goals of the U.S.-Baltic Charter were accomplished. The Charter was a consistent continuation of the U.S. policy of non-recognition of the forceful incorporation of the Baltic states into the Soviet Union, as well as of political and practical support to the restoration of independence. It significantly enhanced U.S.-Baltic cooperation in political, security and economic areas.

We consider that in the future also the co-operation between the Baltic states and the U.S. will be based on shared values of liberty, democracy, human rights, and free market, as well as on the contribution to NATO and U.S.-led coalition operations and reconstruction efforts. The Charter encourages a sense of responsibility for supporting those states which choose to embark on the path of democratic transformation and Euro-Atlantic integration.

A joint statement by Presidents of the three Baltic states on the occasion of the 10^th anniversary of the U.S.-Baltic Charter can be found on the website of the Latvian President (www.president.lv).

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