Baltic Leaders See U.S. Pact Leading to NATO
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WASHINGTON — Leaders of the three Baltic nations signed a partnership agreement with the United States on Friday, a step President Clinton said could one day open the door to membership in NATO and the European Union.
Presidents Lennart Meri of Estonia, Guntis Ulmanis of Latvia and Algirdas Brazauskas of Lithuania joined Clinton to sign the U.S.-Baltic Charter of Partnership, a declaration of U.S. support for eventual membership in the transatlantic community.
Clinton said the new charter will “help reaffirm our common vision of Europe whole and free.”
He said it underscores the progress that has been made since the overthrow of communist rule seven years ago.
“Today your democracies have taken root and you stand among us as leaders of fast-growing democracies,” Clinton said during signing ceremonies in the East Room of the White House.
Clinton said NATO membership is not guaranteed by the agreement. But he expressed hope that the Baltics will in time walk through the door to NATO. And he said that European security can never be assured if the security of the Baltic region is in doubt.
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