Draft US - Baltic Charter Presented to Latvia [26 Jun 1997]

On June 26, Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs met with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Ronald Asmus who acquainted his host with a draft for the US - Baltic Charter, which is expected to include US and Baltic State common values, common principles and a common vision of the future of Europe. The Charter will promote complete integration of the Baltic States into European and trans-Atlantic structures. During the meeting, the gentlemen exchanged ideas related to current security policy issues, including NATO expansion and the upcoming NATO and Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council state and government leader meeting in Madrid. Mr. Asmus repeatedly affirmed that the US supports a clear open-door policy and the principle that no European democracy, no matter its geographic location or history, will be barred from the Alliance expansion process. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr. Birkavs expressed satisfaction on US involvement in the resolution of the Baltic security issue and support of Baltic efforts to become part of European and trans-Atlantic community.

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