President Lennart Meri met Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in Brussels today, and gave a speech to the North Atlantic Council.

Javier Solana commended Estonia's response to the events of Bosnia and the homework done so far prior to the NATO enlargement. Solana confirmed that NATO's open doors policy would continue, according to him NATO has a clear picture of Estonia's aspirations and situation. The representatives of NATO appreciated Estonia's participation in the Partnership for Peace programme and in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.

President Meri gave a speech in the North Atlantic Council, where he commended NATO for having been able to find consensus in the issues of Kosovo. As the President said, NATO would have to take into account the changes in Europe, and that NATO membership should be enlarged in order to unite Europe, thus avoiding future conflicts. (The President's speech is available on the homepage of the President's Office in Internet.)

The Ambassadors of the NATO Member States expressed their appreciation of Estonia's success and unanimously confirmed that the enlargement process would continue.

The diplomats assured that Estonia has chosen the right path, making practical preparations for its defence forces acting together with the forces of NATO. The Turkish Ambassador to NATO mentioned the fact that Estonia and Turkey are connected by a meridian as one of the reasons for their support.

The Ambassador of Germany said on the meeting in the NATO Council that the acceptance of the Baltic States would enhance general welfare. ''Estonia has certainly chosen the right path to membership,'' the German Ambassador said.

According to the Ambassador of the United States, all states must have a clear military strategy. He confirmed that principles must be adhered to and that the United States will not play the game of red lines. The representative of France said that the dynamic enlargement must continue and that the Washington Summit must have a concrete outcome. According to the Ambassador of Great Britain, no new separation lines would be allowed in Europe, independent of the outcome of the Washington Summit. The representatives of the Member States considered it important that two per cent of the State budget should be allocated for defence expenditure.

President Meri emphasised to the NATO Council that Estonia is doing substantial homework for accession to NATO and does not indulge in self-advertising.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, November 4, 1998

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