27 May 2001

Enlargement issue dominates NATO PA meeting At its spring meeting this year, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) raised a number of major issues such as events in the Balkans, developments in the European Security and Defence Identity and missile defence. The five-day meeting attended by NATO parliamentarians was, however, dominated by NATO's open door policy and the review by Allies of the enlargement process at the Prague Summit in November 2002. The event commenced on 27 May and featured meetings of the NATO PA's five committees (Defence and Security, Economics and Security, Science and Technology, the Civilian Dimension of Security and the Political Committee). It closed with a Plenary session on 31 May, chaired by the President of the NATO PA, Rafael Estrella. Lord Robertson also addressed NATO parliamentarians during this closing session, as did the Prime Minister of Lithuania, Rolandas Paksas, whose country was hosting the event. Lord Robertson outlined the main points raised at the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Budapest last week and emphasised that the application of all European countries preparing for NATO membership would be considered. Additional information: Speech by NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session in Vilnius, Lithuania - 31 May 2001 Webmodule of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly dedicated to the 2001 Vilnius Spring Session.