8-9 July NATO summit

Date: 17/07/1997

AS EXPECTED, NATO leaders invited the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland to join the world's premier military alliance, but left Romania and other applicants out. While not committing itself to specific countries, NATO promised a further wave of invitations in 1999. An enhanced Partnership for Peace for disappointed NATO applicants will go ahead as planned, while the US is likely to engage in some special Baltic arrangement independent of NATO.

IN THE wake of the decision, US President Bill Clinton immediately set off on a tour of central and eastern Europe, including a stop in Romania to promise his continued support for reforms in the country. The three successful applicants will now cooperate in their preparations to join the alliance, which will most likely be in 1999. Concerns quickly emerged over the cost of enlargement, with calls for Europe to take on more spending commitments. NATO officials are now preparing an assessment of the reforms needed in each country and should have accession protocols ready within a couple of months.

NEITHER Spain nor France used the Madrid summit to integrate into NATO's military structures, following continued disputes over internal reforms of the organisation. The summit failed to agree a wide-ranging restructuring of the alliance, with Clinton and French President Jacques Chirac continuing to fight over control of the Naples southern command. It is hoped a solution will be found by the end of 1997, after which Madrid is expected to take its full role in NATO. UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, however, threatened to block Spain's integration unless it eased restrictions on the British colony of Gibraltar.

FRANCE is considerably more reticent about re-integration, especially in the light of the Socialist election victory in June. The country would lose out if it were to join NATO's military structures after the new members accede - prompting suggestions it may sign up sooner rather than later.

ALTHOUGH Greeks and Turks continued to bicker over control of the Mediterranean, Turkish President Suleyman Demirel and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis issued a joint statement in which they promised to pursue “peace, security and the continuous development of good-neighbourly relations”.