The Hindu : Another milestone for Europe

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 03, 2004

International

International

Another milestone for Europe

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS, APRIL 2. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) today welcomed seven new members into its fold, and their flags were hoisted at the alliance's headquarters here during a formal ceremony.

The expansion increases the alliance's membership from the current 19 to 26. The new members are: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, which were all communist-ruled countries and within the orbit of the Soviet Union and in the shadow of the Soviet-dominated Warsaw Pact alliance, which was a counter-balance against NATO during the Cold War.

Though Russia has been suspicious about NATO's enlargement, there is also a growing perception in Moscow that its security may be only enhanced by the induction of the seven members. The expansion of NATO is rated as the fulfilment of the European quest to create a continent united in democratic values and consolidated by its bond with the United States.

A similar ceremony was held recently on the lawns of the White House with the U.S. President, George W. Bush, welcoming the new member states into the alliance. The members, which have embarked on a major reform programme to consolidate multi-party democracy, governance based on rule of law and a free market economy, will soon begin negotiations to join the European Union.

NATO members remain committed to collective defence. An attack on one member state makes it obligatory for all others to defend the member. The new members will also have a place at the "top table" where decisions are taken about the shape of Euro-Atlantic security.

The NATO secretary-general, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, today said, "I am optimistic about the future (of NATO) for another reason too. Five years ago, the entry into NATO of Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic set a powerful example.

It inspired countries throughout Europe to accelerate political, economic and military reforms and to establish good relations with their neighbours and I believe that the entry of seven new members today will also be a strong incentive.''

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