Press Release (97)141 17 Nov. 1997

Statement by the NATO Secretary General on the results of the Hungarian referendum on NATO membership The NATO Secretary General, Javier Solana, welcomes the positive result of the Hungarian referendum yesterday on joining the Alliance. The support for NATO membership expressed by the high percentage of those who voted demonstrates the broad support among the Hungarian people for membership in the Alliance. The Secretary General looks forward to receiving the letter formally expressing the Hungarian government's desire to join the Alliance and its willingness to meet the obligations and commitments of membership. Receipt of this letter will mark the formal end of the accession talks and will open the way for the signing of the protocols of accession during the 16 December 1997 meeting of the North Atlantic Council at Ministerial level.