Prague 21 November 2002

Closing Remarks by NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson Meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Heads of State and Government This has been a hugely significant decision, for NATO, for these seven countries that we have just invited to start accession talks, and for the Euro-Atlantic Community. But before moving on, I would like to reiterate the strong message of all those around the table to those aspirants who were not today invited to begin accession talks. The message is: the door to NATO membership remains open. Today's the invitees will not be the last. Through the MAP process, we will continue to help you pursue your reform process, and we remain committed to your full integration into the Euro-Atlantic family of nations. The Heads of State and Government of the Invited countries will now be invited to a meeting with the North Atlantic Council at 3.30 pm this afternoon. That meeting will also be open to the media.