6 steps to LatviaâÀ™s full membership of NATO

1st STEP âÀ“ Accession talks and the reform plan

December 2002 âÀ“ March 2003

Accession talks and preparation of the reform plan:

• 4 December 2002 âÀ“ first round of accession talks
• 11 December 2002 âÀ“ second round of accession talks
• January 2003 âÀ“ preparation of the reform plan
• January-February 2003 âÀ“ visits to Latvia by NATO experts on information security, economic and military issues
• 4 February 2003 âÀ“ meeting between Latvia and the nineteen NATO member states in Brussels to discuss the reform plan

2nd STEP âÀ“ A letter from LatviaâÀ™s Minister of Foreign Affairs to Mr Lord Robertson

March 2003

A letter from LatviaâÀ™s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete is sent to NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson, confirming LatviaâÀ™s readiness to become a member state of the Alliance. LatviaâÀ™s reform plan is submitted together with the letter.

3rd STEP âÀ“ Preparation and signing of the Accession Protocols

March 2003

The North-Atlantic Treaty Protocol stipulating LatviaâÀ™s membership of the Alliance is drafted. The Protocol is signed by the nineteen NATO member states.

4th STEP âÀ“ Ratification of the Accession Protocol

March 2003 - 2004

Ratification of the Accession Protocol in the parliaments of the NATO member states. The ratification process takes place in each member state according to nationally determined endorsement procedures.

5th STEP âÀ“ Ratification by the Latvian Saeima (parliament)

Beginning of 2004

Ratification of the Accession Protocol by the Latvian Saeima (Parliament) and its official deposition with the US State Department.

6th STEP âÀ“ Latvia becomes a full member of NATO

May 2004

Summit of NATO Heads of State and Government, at which Latvia is declared a full-fledged NATO member state.