STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
STATEMENT BY MR. GEORGE W. BUSH
STATEMENT BY MR. JESSE HELMS, UNITED STATES SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL to the participants of the Conference

STATEMENT BY THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release
Friday, May 19, 2000

I welcome the statement adopted in Vilnius today by the governments of Albania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia and the reaffirmation of their commitment to a Europe whole and free. This gathering of nations, held under the sponsorship of Lithuania and Slovenia, represents another important milestone in these countries' reintegration into the Euro-Atlantic community.

Along with European leaders, I have been impressed by the scope of domestic political and economic reforms in these countries and by their bilateral and regional efforts to enhance European stability. Together, these nations have resolved border disputes, begun new regional trading relationships, encouraged cross-border contacts between ethnic groups, provided humanitarian assistance to each other when necessary, and adopted programs to ensure the rights of national minorities. These achievements have been possible because of the common vision held by Vilnius Statement signatories of a Europe in which democracy, free markets, and peace stand as guiding principles.

I also take special note of the aspirations articulated by these nations to join NATO and the European Union and encourage them to stay the course. Having strongly endorsed the enlargement of NATO as the three new members formally acceded last year, I want to underscore my support for the Alliance's Open Door policy. 1 believe that the matter of new memberships should be kept at the forefront of the business of NATO, and look forward to further opportunities to consult closely with the Vilnius Statement signatories in the next months.

 

STATEMENT BY MR. GEORGE W. BUSH

May 18,2000

His Excellency Valdas Adamkus
President of the Republic of Lithuania

Dear Mr. President:

On the occasion of the Vilnius Conference, I wish to express my support for the many distinguished leaders who have come to Lithuania to consider NATO's role m the future of Europe. The security of the United States is inseparable from the security of Europe, and a strong NATO is the foundation of peace.

It is in America's interest that the new European democracies become fully integrated into the economic, political and security institutions of the transatlantic community. These countries today are making progress toward developing market economies and democratic political systems that are the best way to ensure both their long-term stability and their security.

I believe that the enlargement of NATO to include other nations with democratic values, pluralist political systems and free market economies should continue. I also believe that the development of a democratic and stable Russia is in the interest of all of Europe, and we do not see Russia as an enemy. But Russia must never be given a veto over enlargement.

I am proud that 50 years of American commitment to freedom was rewarded m 1989 when Europe once again became whole and free. In the new era that resulted, some of America’s strongest friends and allies have been the democracies of Central and Eastern Europe. In their recent histories, these nations have shown their commitment to the values shared by members of the transatlantic community. Many have already made a real contribution to the defense of these values in Bosnia and Kosovo.

Laura joins me in sending our best wishes for the success of the conference, which unites so many gifted statesmen and valued friends.

Sincerely,

George W. Bush

STATEMENT BY MR. JESSE HELMS, UNITED STATES SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS

May 18,2000

The Honorable Algirdas Saudargas
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Lithuania

Dear Mr. Minister:

I deeply and sincerely appreciate your invitation to the conference, "NATO's Role in the Changing Security Environment of Europe." I regret that the demands on my time by the United States Senate precludes me from leaving Washington. Nonetheless, I extend my full support to these important proceedings in Vilnius, particularly the emphasis given to the vision of a Europe that is whole, free and secure.

Central to the implementation of this vision is the process of NATO enlargement. It is far more than just merely notable that this conference involves officials of the highest order from all democracies of Europe seeking to contribute to transatlantic security as full members of the North Atlantic Alliance.

That, in itself, is a powerful declaration of your determination to work together to promote the process of NATO enlargement. It is a declaration made all the more credible by the fact that your democracies today are coordinating their defense postures with NATO and making real contributions to the Alliance's political military undertakings, including those in the Balkans.

For these reasons, I am confident that the Vilnius Conference will add to the momentum of NATO enlargement. Indeed, this important gathering takes place just days before this Spring's North Atlantic Council Ministerial in Florence, and I am hopeful that your proceedings will encourage the Alliance to bring to the forefront of its agenda the next phase of enlargement.

Mr. Minister, I commend you and the other participants of the Vilnius Conference for your determination to contribute to the vibrancy of the transatlantic relationship and the unifying vision of a Europe, whole, free and secure. I wish all of you the greatest of success.

Sincerely,

JESSE HELMS

ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL to the participants of the Conference

/Unofficial translation/
 

Dear Friends, esteemed guests,

Allow me to greet you all on the occasion of the Conference "NATO's in the Changing Security Environment in Europe". I have received the information about your meeting with great interest and I will follow the results of your negotiations with great attention.

I am really pleased that you have met to discuss the best way to solve the problems that the new security arrangement in Europe now engenders. I am certain that the entry of new members last year into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been an important step in fulfilling the undertaking of a new united Europe. I consider the fact that the Conference is being held in Lithuania as exceptional, and symbolic, because it seems to be a promise and a confirmation of the further enlargement of NATO.

I think that the North Atlantic Alliance must clearly show that it can flexibly react to the political aspects of the new era. The process of its enlargement should be effected step by step and, at the same time, it should be said that this Alliance is open to all countries in the spirit of the Washington Agreement. No country can be a priori excluded; all countries have the same degree of hope, or surety, that they will be accepted as soon as conditions will allow.

Dear Friends,

I will be pleased to hear your opinions concerning the situation in your own regions, and I believe that this meeting will contribute, by doing its part, toward a completion of this historic project of a. united and free Europe.

Allow me to wish your Conference great success.

VACLAV HAVEL

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