Candidate countries welcome invitation to join NATO, Russia remains anxious
Although Russia had previously toned down its strong opposition to the inclusion of the Baltic states that once were part of the Soviet Union, its officials have been voicing concern about NATO's border getting so close. However, Russians stand has not thrown a damper on celebrations in all the seven east European states invited to join NATO.
"This day means that Slovakia will be a part of a democratic and stable Europe, a part of a democratic and stable world. I expect that it means that the interest of foreign investors in Slovakia will be even higher when Slovakia will become a member of the North Atlantic Alliance because countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland experienced that after their entry into NATO this interest was even higher than before."
Although the newcomers to the alliance have a lot to gain, they are aware that NATO membership is also about commitment and responsibility. Mr. Dzurinda says that Slovakia is making an all out effort to prepare for the responsibilities that come with NATO membership:
"We know that Slovakia should be able to share a common responsibility for the development in the world and I believe that we will be able to offer some special units, which will operate together with the United States and with the other military forces of NATO if necessary."
The invitation to the Baltic Republic's - NATO's first expansion into the former Soviet Union - was preceded by many heated debates with Moscow. Russian president Vladimir Putin has softened his country's opposition to NATO enlargement as part of a broad pro-Western policy. Both the US President George Bush and NATO Secretary General George Robertson have gone out of their way to reassure Moscow that this expansion is not directed against Russia.
However some misgivings remain. Following the official expansion announcement made in Prague, the Russian Foreign ministry issued a statement saying that from Russia's point of view NATO's expansion seems unnecessary. We do not think that it will contribute to the security of NATO, the newcomer countries or Europe. However what is of the utmost importance is that this expansion does not create a breach in relations between Russia and the alliance, the statement says. More is expected on Friday when there is a meeting of the NATO-Russia council.
