NATO Enlargement: The Process and Allied Views (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
July 1, 1997 |
| Report Number |
97-666 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Paul E. Gallis, Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
In December 1996, NATO countries expressed the intention to name one or more candidate
states
for membership at the alliance summit in Madrid on July 8-9, 1997. Designation of candidates
would be the first significant step in the process of admitting central European countries. NATO has
set a target date of April 1999 for completion of current members' constitutional processes to revise
the North Atlantic Treaty to incorporate new members.
Expansion of the alliance has triggered a broad debate about NATO's purpose and future. Since
the end of the Cold War, NATO's missions have been evolving. The Clinton Administration
believes that enlargement will enhance NATO's ability to strengthen those new missions and build
stability in Europe.
NATO states continue to emphasize Article V, the provision for collective defense, of the North
Atlantic Treaty. They wish to ensure that new members do not dilute the alliance's political
likemindedness, nor its defense posture. At the same time, most member states believe that bringing
countries into the alliance could strengthen those countries' path towards democracy, and enhance
stability.
Several differences have emerged among member states on the issue of enlargement. The
degree to which some members believe that Article V could be strengthened or weakened by
enlargement is one concern. Some members emphasize more than others NATO's "new missions,"
such as crisis management and peacekeeping. In general, candidate states better able to support new
missions or that contribute to stability in Europe have broader support among most member states.
Most member states are concerned about the possible costs of enlargement, and the alliance has
not yet agreed upon a plan for sharing those costs. Some member governments also remain
concerned about a possible backlash against the alliance from Russian nationalists, should
enlargement go forward.
There is an apparent consensus to name Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary as candidate
states at the Madrid summit. Some members, in particular France and Italy, support Slovenia and
Romania as well. The Baltic states do not have support in a first round of enlargement. Following
Madrid, negotiations for accession with candidate states will begin, and should be completed by
December 1997.
NATO enlargement will face competing issues in several member states. Qualification for
European Monetary Union (EMU), efforts to constrain budgets, and national elections could affect
the debate over enlargement. Member states will watch developments in the U.S. Senate, above all.
In France, Italy, and Turkey, the debate could prove to be difficult. Member states will follow
different constitutional processes to amend the North Atlantic Treaty.
