The readiness of the Alliance to embrace new candidates fulfills the strategic vision presented by President George W. Bush in Warsaw in June 2001. Once again it is worth to recall the President’s words: All of Europe’s new democracies, from the Baltic to the Black Sea and all that lie between, should have the same chance for security and freedom – and the same chance to join the institutions of Europe – as Europe’s old democracies have. (…) As we plan to enlarge NATO, no nation should be used as a pawn in the agendas of others. We will not trade away the fate of free European peoples. No more Munichs. No more Yaltas. It was needed merely 17 months for these words to shape a new geopolitical reality.

Poland has special reasons to celebrate decisions made in Prague. As President Aleksander Kwaśniewski underlined: This is a great satisfaction for Poland. From the very start we have been supporting this process, sharing experience and building a mutual trust. I am convinced the decision will strengthen the Alliance. The enlargement and other Prague summit’s decisions will transform NATO into a more efficient tool to fight international terrorism as well as create a new, more stable and secure environment in all of Europe.

Przemysław Grudziński
Ambassador