No. 9. (05/07/02)

The 2002 Sofia Spring Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly
DECLARATION ON NATO ENLARGEMENT

  1. The NATO Parliamentary Assembly, meeting in plenary in Sofia on Tuesday 28 May, confirms that NATO's purpose is to safeguard the freedom and security of all its members by political and military means. Therefore, The Assembly.

  2. Recalling that under Article 10 of the Washington Treaty, "the Parties may, by unanimous agreement, invite any other European State in a position to further the principles of the Treaty and contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area to accede to the Treaty";

  3. Recalling its strong support for NATO enlargement expressed during its meetings in Vilnius and Ottawa;

  4. Stressing that enlargement has a dominant political rationale through the projection of security and stability throughout the Euro-Atlantic area. It emphasizes the benefits to be gained in the light of changing circumstances from broadening the Alliance so that NATO can act as a forum for political consultations among democratic nations as well as for co-operation in and co-ordination of military and security activities;

  5. Stressing that terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction pose a significant threat to NATO countries, enlargement is part of a broader policy to build an alliance that ensures security in the Euro-Atlantic area. The Alliance is open to tolerant, democratic societies, embracing values that terrorism seeks to destroy. At the same time, enlargement promotes military and security efforts to combat threats to stability;

  6. Emphasizing that the military dimension of the Alliance remains an indispensable component of NATO's new role through the provision of the appropriate capabilities and a framework for military co-operation, co-ordination and interoperability;

  7. Agreeing that a broad and regionally balanced enlargement of NATO is an essential part of the transformation of the Alliance;

  8. Recognizing and appreciating the efforts made by all aspirant countries towards NATO membership and expressing gratitude to these countries for the solidarity shown and for their contribution to the fight against terrorism and NATO efforts following 11 September;

  9. Noting that Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have proved their progress towards NATO membership through successful programmes of reform at home and their contributions to NATO operations in the Balkans;

  10. Stressing to aspirant countries the importance of maintaining their current efforts aimed at meeting the criteria for membership outlined in NATO's 1995 study on enlargement, upon which the Council will decide in Prague; and reminding each invited country that if it should falter in its commitment to reform, the member parliaments of the Assembly may decide to delay or even reject ratification of the treaty protocol needed for that country to join the Alliance;

  11. Calls upon Alliance Heads of State and Government at their next summit in Prague, on 21 and 22 November:

a. to invite to commence accession talks those aspirant countries assessed to be ready for Alliance membership and whose accession is judged to strengthen security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area;

b. to continue the "open door" policy after the Prague Summit, and in particular to assist aspirant countries on their way towards NATO membership;

c. to accelerate and intensify co-operation and partnership programmes with aspirant countries and to continue and strengthen the Membership Action Plan in order to assist them in meeting NATO's requirements for eventual entry into NATO;

d. to indicate an approximate timeframe for the consideration of these candidate countries, if there is no deterioration in their respective progress in meeting the NATO criteria for membership;

e. to declare that the NATO Alliance remains open to all European democracies, regardless of geography, which are willing and able to meet the responsibilities of membership, and whose inclusion would enhance overall security and stability in Europe;

12. Calls upon the constituent parliaments of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to give their consent to and/or campaign for ratification of the necessary treaty protocols;

13. Believes that a substantially enlarged NATO, together with the adoption of other fundamental changes and improvements, will ensure the future relevance of the North Atlantic Alliance with Article 5 as its essential part.