The NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) will hold its Spring Session for the first time in the Czech Republic in Prague from 24 to 28 May 2003 at the Obecni Dum (Municipal House), Republic Square. 300 (approx.) legislators from North America and Europe are expected to participate in the 5 day session.

The situation in Iraq and its consequences will be the focus of the Plenary debate on Wednesday 28 May and also the meeting of the NATO-Russia Parliamentary Standing Committee - the parliamentary equivalent of the NATO-Russia Council - on Saturday 24 May at 16:00. Other than the impact on the Alliance of the Iraq crisis, issues under discussion throughout the session will include the war against terrorism, reform of NATO's command structure, plans for a NATO response force and the current round of NATO enlargement as well as the problems posed by organised crime, the state of the Russian economy and the threat from weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

A press briefing will be given by Simon Lunn, Secretary General of the NATO PA, and Vlasta Parkanova, Head of the Czech Delegation to the NATO PA, on Friday May 23 May at 14.00 at the Czech Senate. A press conference will be given by Hon. Doug Bereuter (United States), President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, on Wednesday 28 May at 13:30 in Hall 2 of the Obecni Dum.

This Spring Session will comprise meetings of the NATO PA's five committees - Defence and Security, Civil Dimension of Security, Political, Economics and Security and Science and Technology - on Sunday 25 and Monday 26 May. The committees will consider a series of reports on topical issues and hear presentations from international specialists and Czech Government ministers.

Plenary Sessions will be held on Monday 26 May - featuring an address by the NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson followed by a question and answer period; and on Wednesday 28 May when the President of the NATO PA, Mr. Doug Bereuter (USA), the Czech President, Mr. Vaclav Klaus, the Czech Prime Minister and Mr. Vladimir Spidla will address the delegates. A parliamentary debate will then be held on the impact of the Iraq crisis on transatlantic relations.

Background: The NATO Parliamentary Assembly, founded in 1955 with a Brussels-based secretariat, brings together 214 national parliamentarians from the 19 NATO countries. The 20 associate delegations from Central and Eastern Europe, Ukraine, and Russia participate in Assembly activities and meetings.