RIGA-TALLINN, Jan 16, BNS – US President George W. Bush congratulated the Baltic nations with the 10th anniversary of the US-Baltic Charter.
“On this occasion, we appreciate the peoples of the Baltic states who endured tyranny and struggled for independence. They earned their freedom through courage and perseverance, and today they stand with us as partners in this great alliance (NATO — BNS), contributing to our common security,” said the statement by the US president released by the US Embassy in Latvia.
Bush said that the US and the Baltic states by signing the charter and becoming full members of Europe and the transatlantic community, demonstrated the commitment to achieve an integrated Europe in which the security and sovereignty of each nation would be realized.
The Charter of Partnership among the United States of America and Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania was signed on January 16, 1998 in the White House by the presidents of the four countries. The document ensured increased political, security and economic cooperation with the US and also helped the Baltic states in their EU bid.
The presidents of Estonia, Latvia and Lithunia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Valdis Zatler and Valdas Adamkus, earlier today made a statement underlining the importanmce of the US-Baltic charter for the three nations.