3 Feb. 1999	Reserve Officers define their role During three days, representatives from the National Reserve Forces Committee (NRFC - a recognised NATO Committee which provides advice on Reserve issues) and the Confédération des Officiers de Réserve (CIOR - an independent confederation of national reserve officers' associations) came to NATO HQ. They adopted a framework policy document on NATO Reserves which provides NATO with policy guidance on the potential contribution of Reserve forces to NATO's defence interests, including the training, readiness and use of Reserve forces in accomplishing NATO missions. When addressing the 300 officers present, NATO Secretary General, Dr Javier Solana, commended CIOR's valuable role, in particular in developing links with Partner countries.
3 Feb. 1999	Civil Emergency Planning Handbook This week, a new Civil Emergency Planning Handbook has been issued. Developed by Sweden -one of NATO's Partners- in cooperation with NATO, this first edition of the handbook carries details of Civil Emergency Planning arrangements in up to 30 NATO and non-NATO countries which are members of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC). It is available in printed form and on the Internet at: http://www.ocb.se.
3 Feb. 1999	The three Invitees move closer to membership The final stage in the accession process of the Czech Republic (top flag), Hungary (middle) and Poland (bottom) to become members of NATO has been reached. Last month, NATO Secretary General, Dr Javier Solana, invited the three countries to accede to the North Atlantic Treaty. It is now a question of waiting for the three countries to complete their domestic procedures for accession and for their instruments of accession to be deposited with the US government in Washington. They will then formally become members of the Alliance and will be welcomed at the Washington Summit in April.

3 Feb. 1999	NATO-WEU crisis management seminar A joint NATO-WEU crisis management seminar, called CMS 99, was organised at NATO HQ on 3 February. Co-chaired by NATO Secretary General, Dr Javier Solana, and WEU Secretary General, José Cutileiro, its aim was to assess how consultation arrangements would work during a WEU-led operation using NATO assets and capabilities. This seminar was useful in helping to develop practical cooperation between the two organisations, and in particular, between their top decision-making bodies (Councils). It will also contribute to preparations for the joint NATO-WEU exercise (CMX/CRISEX) to take place in the year 2000.
4 Feb. 1999	Solana travels South Continuing his tour of NATO member countries and the three Invitee countries -the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland- NATO Secretary General, Dr Javier Solana, went to Greece and Spain. He met Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis (top left), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Theodoros Pangalos and the Minister of Defence, Apostolos Tsohatzopoulos, on 4 February. On 8 February, he went to Spain where he held discussions with the President of the Government, José María Aznar (bottom right), and Defence Minister, Eduardo Serra. During both official visits, the possible deployment of NATO troops in Kosovo, operation "Joint Guardian", as well as the main topics on the agenda for the Washington Summit were discussed.
6 Feb. 1999	Kosovo Peace negotiations started in Rambouillet on 6th February. The 30th January decision by the North Atlantic Council -NATO's top decision-making body- to delegate to the Secretary General the authority to initiate air strikes, stands as a warning to both sides that NATO's threat to use force is real and to underline the pressing need to reach an agreement. NATO is monitoring developments at Rambouillet closely and stands ready to play its part in the international community's efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
7 Feb. 1999	Kosovo Peace talks begin between Serb and Kosovo Albanian representatives in Rambouillet, France.
9 Feb. 1999	The Hungarian parliament votes overwhelmingly in favour of NATO membership.