12 March 1999

TEXT: NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL WELCOMES THREE NEW ALLIES MARCH 12

(The Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary join NATO) (440)

Brussels -- The North Atlantic Council has welcomed three new Allies
-- the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary.

"A new chapter opens in the history of the Atlantic Alliance and of
Europe," the North Atlantic Council said in a March 12 statement from
NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

"We, the members of the North Atlantic Council, look forward to
working with the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland in our common
quest to make the 21st Century a time of peace and progress for all
our peoples," the statement said.

"NATO's door will remain open to all those willing and able to
contribute to our common vision of a lasting order of peace based on
human rights, freedom and democracy."

Following is the text of the North Atlantic Council statement:

(begin text)

NATO Press Release
12 March 1999

Welcoming Statement by The North Atlantic Council to the three Allies

Today a new chapter opens in the history of the Atlantic Alliance and
of Europe. The North Atlantic Council warmly welcomes three new Allies
- the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary - who today will formally
accede to the Washington Treaty. Next week, on Tuesday 16 March we
will receive the Prime Ministers of the Czech Republic, Poland and
Hungary here in Brussels. Their flags will be raised alongside those
of the other 16 member countries at a ceremony of welcome. They will
then take their seats at the table of the North Atlantic Council as
full and equal Allies.

The Alliance will continue to welcome new members in a position to
further the principles of the Treaty and contribute to security in the
Euro-Atlantic area. NATO's door will remain open to all those willing
and able to contribute to our common vision of a lasting order of
peace based on human rights, freedom and democracy.

The process of opening the Alliance to new countries is part of the
Alliance's policy to improve the security and stability environment
for nations in the Euro-Atlantic area. The contours of a new security
order in Europe become clearly discernible. It is based on integration
and cooperation, not confrontation. It raises the security of all and
it excludes nobody. The countries of Europe are moving closer together
to finally overcome the division of Europe.

We, the members of the North Atlantic Council, look forward to working
with the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland in our common quest to
make the 21st Century a time of peace and progress for all our
peoples.

(end text)

---