Following the NATO Summit Meeting Madrid 8 July 1997

Joint Press Conference by H.E. G. Horn, Hungary H.E. V. Havel, Czech Republic and H.E. A Kwasniewski, Poland On behalf of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland we express our deepest satisfaction with the invitation extended here in Madrid by the sixteen Heads of State and government of NATO member states to our countries to begin talks on the accession to the Alliance. This is a historic decision paving the way to a more stable and secure Europe. We see the invitation extended to us in Madrid as recognition of the tremendous efforts undertaken by our societies following the changes in 1989/1990. We are indeed very proud that the transformations of our political systems and economies have made us eligible to be considered as an integral part of the Alliance. It is on basis of this continuing progress that e are looking confidently toward assuming all the rights, duties and responsibilities associated with membership in the Atlantic Alliance. We are resolved to take an active part in its collective efforts. (19Kb) We are determined to intensify the political and military cooperation of our three countries. We hope that the parliaments of the sixteen NATO nations will complete the ratification procedure in time enabling our countries to join the Alliance by its 50th anniversary. We see the invitation extended to our three states as the beginning of the NATO' s enlargement process. On this very special day, we also think very much about other countries aspiring for membership in NATO. It is our firm belief that NATO will gradually invite other European democracies that wish to join it and meet the criteria for membership. It is our intention to assist this process.