NATO HQ 1 April 2005

One year of membership in NATO Statement by NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer The accession of seven countries to NATO one year ago has benefited not only the Alliance but also security in the entire Euro-Atlantic region. All our seven new members are playing their full part in promoting values that make NATO a true symbol of cooperation, democracy and peaceful relations. They are playing a constructive role within the NATO Council, helping the Alliance to arrive at consensus. And they are making a real and significant military contribution too, in Alliance operations in regions of vital strategic importance, and through their commitment to make NATO’s capabilities even more relevant to the new security environment. The seven countries which joined last year have become fully part of the NATO family.