NATO Through Time podcast – NATO’s open door (1999) with the former Hungarian Foreign Minister and former Czech Ambassador

  • 04 Jun. 2024 -
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  • Last updated: 09 Aug. 2024 13:46

The NATO Through Time podcast dives deep into NATO’s history, reflecting on how the past influences the present – and future – of the longest-lasting alliance in history. This episode features former Hungarian Foreign Minister János Martonyi and former Czech Ambassador Karel Kovanda, who helped their countries join NATO in 1999.

NATO Through Time podcast – NATO’s open door (1999) with the former Hungarian Foreign Minister and former Czech Ambassador

Why did NATO open its door to former Warsaw Pact adversaries after the end of the Cold War? 
What was the process for Czechia, Hungary and Poland to join the Alliance? 
How has NATO changed in the 25 years since this historic enlargement? 

In this episode, former Hungarian Foreign Minister János Martonyi and former Czech Ambassador to NATO Karel Kovanda share their perspectives on this transformative era in NATO history. They reflect on their youths, growing up under communism in Warsaw Pact countries, witnessing the end of the Cold War in 1989, and helping to lead their countries into NATO in 1999. They also discuss how their countries have contributed to the Alliance over the past 25 years, and where NATO is heading in the future.

The podcast is available on YouTube, and on all major podcast platforms, including: