On November 26, 1996 the Presidents of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania met in Riga. Discussing the NATO enlargement, they reaffirmed the commitment of their nations to join NATO at the earliest stage and to make sure that the enlargement process now underway will increase rather than diminish the security of everyone concerned.

They took note that in recent weeks there had been suggestions from various quarters that the enlargement process inevitably would have negative consequences for those now in the Alliance who supposedly would see their burdens increased, for those who hoped to join but who might not be taken in immediately and who thus would have to cope with living in an undefined status for some time, and for those who did not seek membership and as a misperception see the growth of the Alliance as a threat to themselves.

The Presidents discussed how to overcome these concerns and proposed the following steps:

First, to design an accession process involving a framework for consultations between NATO and countries that have expressed their interest to join the Alliance and share common values.

Second, to seek the widest possible public discussion of the issues of enlargement in a11 countries affected.

Third, to call for broad diplomatic consultations among all countries involved and for a meeting of all of them prior to any final decision by the Alliance.

And fourth, to urge an active consideration of a comprehensive and transparent enlargement process, one that would include all the countries

concerned.

The Presidents stated the that three Baltic states which have been a part of Europe for all of their histories pledge to work together, with each other and with all the countries concerned to achieve common goals of democracy, freedom. and security on the continent.

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