01 October 1998
(Status of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland) (460) (The following fact sheet was released by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) October 1, 1998, giving the status of the ratification of Accession Protocols for the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, the three countries invited at the Madrid Summit on July 1997 by NATO Heads of State and Government to begin negotiations with a view to becoming members of the Alliance.) NATO Basic Fact Sheet: Ratification of Accession Protocol Status of Ratification of Accession Protocols 1 October 1998 At the Madrid Summit on July 1997 NATO Heads of State and Government invited the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland to begin negotiations with a view to becoming members of the Alliance. Protocols of Accession were signed in December 1997. Subject to ratification in accordance with legislation in each of the NATO member countries, the three invited countries will join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1999. What follows is an overview of the status of ratification of the Accession Protocols in Allied countries, based on information provided by national authorities: Countries which have completed ratification: Belgium: Senate approved on 9 July; House of Representatives approved on 16 July 1998 (+) Canada: Foreign Minister ratified on 2 February; instrument of ratification deposited on 4 February 1998 Denmark: Parliament approved on 3 February; instrument of ratification deposited on 17 February 1998 France: Senate approved on 20 May; National Assembly on 10 June 1998; instrument of ratification deposited on 4 February 1998 Germany: Bundestag approved on 26 March; Bundesrat on 27 March 1998; instrument of ratification deposited on 24 April 1998 Greece: Parliament approved on 14 May 1998 (+) Iceland: Parliament approved on 4 June 1998 (+) Italy: Senate approved on 13 May; House of Representatives approved on 23 June 1998; instrument of ratification deposited on 23 September 1998 Luxembourg: Parliament approved on 27 May 1998 (+) Norway: Parliament approved on 3 March 1998; instrument of ratification deposited on 17 March 1998 Portugal: Parliament approved on 17 September 1998 (+) Spain: Congress of Deputies approved on 21 May; Senate approved on 23 June 1998 (+) United Kingdom: House of Commons approved on 17 July; House of Lords approved on 31 July 1998; instrument of ratification deposited on 18 August 1998 United States: U.S. Senate approved on 30 April; U.S. President signed resolution on 21 May 1998; instrument of ratification deposited on 20 August 1998 Ratification Pending: Netherlands Turkey (Draft law approved by Defense and Foreign Affairs Committees of the Turkish Parliament, draft law now submitted to the General Assembly) (+) Instrument of ratification not yet deposited This text is not a formally agreed NATO document and does not therefore necessarily represent the official opinion or position of individual member governments on all policy issues discussed.