Smith Lauds Ratification of NATO Expansion Treaty

May 8, 2003

Smith Lauds Ratification of NATO Expansion Treaty

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Today, Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) joined his colleagues to unanimously approve the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The treaty allows the accession into the alliance of seven new and restored democracies in Central and Eastern Europe: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Smith is the chairman of the Senate Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and the co-chairman of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus.

"These seven nations have made great strides in developing responsible democratic governments, free-market economies, civil societies, and transparent and accountable armed forces," said Smith. "As their active support for the global war on terrorism and Operation Iraqi Freedom demonstrates, these nations share our values and are willing and able to promote democracy and freedom around the world."

Each of the nations invited to join NATO have provided direct support for the global war on terrorism, including overflight rights, transit and basing privileges, military and police forces, medical unites, and transport to U.S. led efforts. They have also provided support to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan and NATO efforts to stabilize the Balkans.

"I can think of no relationship more crucial to American national security than the partnership between the United States and Europe, with the NATO Alliance as its institutional cornerstone," Smith said. "When working together, America and Europe constitute a partnership that is globally dominant in all key respects: economically, politically, and militarily."

In November 2002, the North Atlantic Council, NATO's decision making body, extended invitations to these seven countries to begin negotiations for admission as new members of the alliance. This is the second time in a decade NATO has agreed to enlarge and welcome nations from territories formerly occupied by the Soviet Union. In addition to the United States, Canada and Norway have also approved the accession.

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