NATO MULTIMEDIA ACCOUNT

Access NATO’s broadcast-quality video content free of charge

Register

Create an account

Create an account

Check your inbox and enter verification code

We have sent a verification code to your email address. . Enter the code to verify your account. This code will expire in 30 minutes.
Verification code

Didn't receive a code? Send new Code

You have successfully created your account

From now on you can download videos from our website

Subscribe to our newsletter

If you would also like to subscribe to the newsletter and receive our latest updates, click on the button below.

Reset password

Enter the email address you registered with and we will send you a code to reset your password.

Log in or Create an account
Reset password
Check your inbox and enter verification code
We have sent a verification code to your email address. Enter the code to verify your account. This code will expire in 30 minutes.
Verification code

Didn't receive a code? Send new Code

Create a new password

The password must be at least 12 characters long, no spaces, include upper/lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.

Your password has been updated

Click the button to return to the page you were on and log in with your new password.

Prime Minister Zeman,
Prime Minister Orban,
Prime Minister Buzek,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, we welcome the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland as full members of our Atlantic Alliance. This is an emotional moment - for us who are gathered here today, for Europe and for the whole Euro-Atlantic community. It represents the triumph of justice over history. For too much of this century, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe have been cut off from the Euro-Atlantic community - a community of democracies to which they rightly belong. In this new Europe, geography is no longer destiny. Nations can determine their own fate, by their own free choice.

Today - here, now -- we are crossing the threshold from vision to reality. History will see the accession of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland as a key step towards a Europe of co-operation and integration, towards a Europe without dividing lines. Europe is growing together - and this process is irreversible. The example set by these three countries will serve as a strong incentive and encouragement for those other nations that share the same ambitions and values.

Our 19 Allies are joined in a commitment to the defence of each others' security and territorial integrity. This is the strongest, most solemn commitment any nation can make to another. The Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland have shown consistently that they are ready for this commitment. They, in turn, can count on the solidarity of the other Allies.

In only a few months time, we enter a new century, a new millennium. The ill-winds of war and conflict that plagued Europe for so much of the past hundred years have given way to a transatlantic community of shared values and interests. Yet while today's accession closes one chapter, it also opens a new one. This journey, our common journey, is far from over. We - the Alliance of 19 - must continue to work for peace and stability on this continent; to entrench firmly the democratic values we uphold and safeguard; to make partnership and cooperation the foundation of our European security, building on the success of the Partnership for Peace and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.

The tasks are still plentiful. Europe's integration must continue to widen and deepen. Long-term peace must be established in the Balkans, not only by managing immediate crises, but by building a solid base for prosperity in the entire region. We must continue to develop our partnership with Russia - to nurture the relationship of trust and cooperation that is essential to European security. Our cooperation with Ukraine must intensify, to help that important nation find its proper place in the new Europe. We want to build confidence with countries of the Mediterranean.

Messieurs les Premiers Ministres,
Excellences,
Mesdames et Messieurs,
Chers amis,


Notre relation transatlantique qui définit cette Alliance doit également évoluer et mûrir. Elle doit refléter l'évolution d'une Europe nouvelle et plus confiante, une Europe qui jouera un rôle toujours plus important comme véritable partenaire de l'Amérique du Nord dans le domaine de la sécurité.

Nous devons également développer notre capacité à faire face aux nouveaux défis de la sécurité dans le prochain millénaire. Les forces de l'OTAN deviendront encore plus flexibles pour être capables de mener toute la gamme d'opérations de soutien de la paix en collaboration étroite avec nos Partenaires. Et nous développerons ensemble notre capacité de réponse à des défis nouveaux comme les armes de destruction massive.

Cette nouvelle Alliance prend déjà forme : trois nouveaux membres ; des partenariats plus forts dans l'ensemble de la région euro-atlantique ; une personnalité européenne qui se fait jour ; et les capacités politiques et militaires nécessaires pour affronter les nouveaux défis avec succès. Cette OTAN est prête pour le nouveau millénaire. Prête à faire face aux défis. Mais également prête à saisir les opportunités que cette ère nouvelle offrira pour la paix et la sécurité en Europe.

Cette nouvelle Alliance sera présentée à notre Sommet de Washington le mois prochain. Là, nous ne célébrerons pas seulement les succès de l'OTAN qui a su pendant les cinquante dernières années garantir la paix et la sécurité. Nous irons au-delà, en construisant une Alliance de 19 états démocratiques, prêts à assurer la paix pour le prochain siècle.

A nos trois nouveaux Alliés, à leurs dirigeants, à leurs parlementaires, à leurs peuples, je voudrais souhaiter la bienvenue, la bienvenue chez nous.

Merci beaucoup.