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'{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2011}} [[Image:Map of NATO chronological.gif|350px|right|thumb|Map of NATO countries chronological membership.]] '''Enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization''' ('''NATO''') is the process of including new member states in [[NATO]]. NATO is a military alliance of states in Europe and North America whose organization constitutes a system of [[Collective security#Collective defense|collective defence]]. The process of joining the alliance is governed by Article 10 of the [[North Atlantic Treaty]] and by subsequent agreements. Countries wishing to join have to meet certain requirements and complete a multi-step process involving political dialogue and military integration. The accession process is overseen by the North Atlantic Council, NATO's governing body. After its formation in 1949, NATO grew by including [[Greece]] and [[Turkey]] in 1952 and [[West Germany]] in 1955, and then later Spain in 1982. After the [[Cold War]] ended, and [[Germany reunited]] in 1990, there was a debate in NATO about continued expansion eastward. In 1999, [[Poland]], Hungary, and the [[Czech Republic]] were added to the organization, amid much debate within the organization and Russian opposition.<ref>Johanna Granville,[http://www.scribd.com/doc/13858636/The-Many-Paradoxes-of-NATO-Enlargement-by-Johanna-Granville "The Many Paradoxes of NATO Enlargement”] ''Current History'' (April 1999), vol. 98, no. 627, pp. 165–170.</ref><ref>Johanna Granville, “After Kosovo: The Impact of NATO Enlargement on Russian Political Parties,” ''Demokratizatsiya'' vol. 8, no. 1 (Winter 2000), pp. 24–45.</ref> Another expansion came with the accession of seven [[Northern Europe]]an and [[Eastern Europe]]an countries: [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Slovenia]], [[Slovakia]], [[Bulgaria]], and [[Romania]]. These nations were first invited to start talks of membership during the [[2002 Prague summit]], and joined NATO on 29 March 2004, shortly before the [[2004 Istanbul summit]]. Most recently, [[Albania]] and [[Croatia]] joined on 1 April 2009, shortly before the [[2009 Strasbourg–Kehl summit]]. Future expansion is currently a topic of debate in many countries. [[Cyprus]] and [[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]] are stalled from accession by, respectively, Turkey and Greece, pending the resolution of disputes between them. Other countries which have a stated goal of eventually joining include [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], Montenegro, [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]. The incorporation of former [[Warsaw Pact]] countries has been a cause of increased tension between NATO countries and [[Russia]]. [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] reportedly agreed to allow German reunification within NATO after being promised that NATO would not expand "one inch to the east."<ref>http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/08/13/a_diplomatic_mystery</ref> ==Historical enlargements== {{See also|Member states of NATO}} NATO has added new members six times since its founding in 1949, and NATO comprises twenty-eight members. Twelve countries were part of the founding of NATO: [[Belgium]], Canada, [[Denmark]], France, [[Iceland]], Italy, [[Luxembourg]], the [[Netherlands]], Norway, [[Portugal]], the United Kingdom, and the United States. In 1990, with the [[German reunification|reunification of Germany]], NATO grew to include the former country of [[East Germany]]. Between 1994 and 1997, wider forums for regional cooperation between NATO and its neighbors were set up, including the [[Partnership for Peace]], the [[Mediterranean Dialogue]] initiative and the [[Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council]]. In 1997, three former communist countries, [[Hungary]], the [[Czech Republic]], and [[Poland]], were invited to join NATO. After this fourth enlargement in 1999, the [[Vilnius group]] of The Baltics and seven East European countries formed in May 2000 to cooperate and lobby for further NATO membership. Seven of these countries joined in the fifth enlargement in 2004. [[Albania]] and [[Croatia]] joined in the sixth enlargement in 2009. {| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto" !Date !Country !Enlargement |rowspan=18|[[Image:History of NATO enlargement.svg|510px|Map of NATO expansion since 1949]] |- |rowspan=2| 18 February 1952 || {{flagcountry|Greece}} || rowspan=2 align=center |First |- |{{flagcountry|Turkey}} |- |9 May 1955 || {{flagcountry|West Germany}} || align=center| Second |- |30 May 1982 || {{flagcountry|Spain}} || align=center| Third |- |3 October 1990 || align=center colspan="2"| German reunification |- |rowspan=3| 12 March 1999 || {{flagcountry|Czech Republic}} || rowspan=3 align=center| Fourth |- |{{flagcountry|Hungary}} |- |{{flagcountry|Poland}} |- |rowspan=7| 29 March 2004 || {{flagcountry|Bulgaria}} || rowspan=7 align=center| Fifth |- |{{flagcountry|Estonia}} |- |{{flagcountry|Latvia}} |- |{{flagcountry|Lithuania}} |- |{{flagcountry|Romania}} |- |{{flagcountry|Slovakia}} |- |{{flagcountry|Slovenia}} |- |rowspan=2| 1 April 2009 || {{flagcountry|Albania}} || rowspan=2 align=center| Sixth |- |{{flagcountry|Croatia}} |} ==Criteria and process== ===Article 10=== Article 10 of the [[North Atlantic Treaty]] describes how non-member states may join [[NATO]]: {{cquote|The Parties may by unanimous agreement, invite any other European State in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area to accede to this Treaty. Any State so invited may become a Party to the Treaty by depositing its instrument of accession with the Government of the United States of America. The Government of the United States of America will inform each of the Parties of the deposit of each such instrument of accession.<ref>{{cite web |title=The North Atlantic Treaty|url=http://www.nato.int/docu/basictxt/treaty.htm|accessdate=2008-09-15|date=29 November 2007}}</ref>}} This article poses two general limits to non-member states. European states are eligible for membership and these states need the approval of all the existing member states. The second criterion means that every member state can put some criteria forward that have to be attained. In practice, NATO formulates in most cases a common set of criteria, but for instance [[Greece]] blocks former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's accession to NATO, due to the [[Macedonia naming dispute|disagreement over the use of the name Macedonia]]. Turkey similarly opposes the participation of the [[Republic of Cyprus]] with NATO institutions as long as the [[Cyprus dispute]] is not resolved.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.economist.com/node/14416843 |title= Fogh in the Aegean |date= September 10, 2009 |work= [[The Economist]] |accessdate= December 11, 2011}}</ref> [[Greece]] opposes Turkey's admission to the [[European Union]] because of the dispute.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=90380|title=Turkey responds to EU's criticism over ESDP row|date=5 December 2007|work=Turkish Daily News| accessdate=2008-09-24}}</ref> ===Individual Partnership Action Plan=== {{main|Individual Partnership Action Plan}} [[Image:NATO-2002-Summit.jpg|thumb|NATO began [[Individual Partnership Action Plan]]s at the [[2002 Prague Summit]]]] NATO began the Individual Partnership Action Plans programme at the [[2002 Prague Summit]], as a mechanism to tailor relations with specific countries, which may include eventual membership. The programme is also used for countries not intending to join NATO, but that require the additional diplomatic resources. Plans have so far only been implemented with countries already members of the NATO-organized [[Partnership for Peace]]. As of 2009, Individual Partnership Action Plans are in implementation with eight countries: [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], Azerbaijan, [[Armenia]], Bosnia and Herzegovina, [[Kazakhstan]], Moldova, [[Montenegro]], and [[Serbia]]. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Serbia and Kazakhstan have stated they have no desire to join NATO. Georgia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the other hand, are actively working towards future NATO membership. ===Intensified Dialogue=== Intensified Dialogue is viewed as an additional stage before being invited to enter the alliance [[Membership Action Plan]] (MAP), that may compliment that country's Individual Partnership Action Plan. As of 2010, [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and [[Ukraine]] are engaged in an Intensified Dialogue with NATO. In Spring 2008 both were promised to get Membership Action Plans at later stage, but in 2010 Ukraine has announced that it no longer has NATO membership as a goal. [[Montenegro]] and [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] participate in Intensified Dialogue, but have also received Membership Action Plans in addition. Serbia was also offered an Intensified Dialogue program on 3 April 2008, but made no response to accept the offer.<ref>[http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=04&dd=03&nav_id=49084 B92 – News – Politics – NATO offers "intensified dialogue" to Serbia<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> * {{flag|Ukraine}} (21 April 2005)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2005/04-april/e0421b.htm|title=NATO launches ‘Intensified Dialogue’ with Ukraine|publisher=NATO|date=20 April 2005}}</ref>{{Dubious|date=June 2010}}{{Update after|2010|06}} * {{flag|Georgia}} (21 September 2006)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2006/09-september/e0921c.htm|title=NATO offers Intensified Dialogue to Georgia|publisher=NATO|date=21 September 2006}}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto" |+ Countries not intending to join NATO !Country ![[Partnership for Peace]] ![[Individual Partnership Action Plan]] ![[Intensified Dialogue#Intensified Dialogue|Intensified Dialogue]] |- |{{flagcountry|Ukraine}}||<span style="display:none">1994-02</span> February 1994 || <span style="display:none">2002–11</span> November 2002<ref>[http://www.nato.int/docu/basictxt/b021122a.htm NATO-Ukraine Action Plan]</ref>|| <span style="display:none">2005-04</span> April 2005 |- |{{flagcountry|Azerbaijan}}||<span style="display:none">1994-05</span> May 1994 || <span style="display:none">2005-05</span> May 2005<ref>{{cite news |work=Radio Free Europe|title=Azerbaijan: Baku Seems Ambivalent About NATO Membership|date=22 March 2007|url= http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/03/f3cd4e65-608f-462c-8a2c-99b449c2648e.html|accessdate=15 September 2008}}</ref>|| &nbsp; |- |{{flagcountry|Armenia}}||<span style="display:none">1994-10</span> October 1994||<span style="display:none">2005–12</span> December 2005<ref>{{cite news|work=Armenian News|title=Armenia-NATO Partnership Plan corresponds to interests of both parties|date= 15 March 2007|url=http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=21489|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref>|| &nbsp; |- |{{flagcountry|Kazakhstan}}||<span style="display:none">1994-05</span> May 1994||<span style="display:none">2006-01</span> January 2006|| &nbsp; |- |{{flagcountry|Moldova}}||<span style="display:none">1994-05</span> May 1994 || <span style="display:none">2006-05</span> May 2006|| &nbsp; |- |{{flagcountry|Belarus}} || <span style="display:none">2006–12</span> 11 January 1995 || &nbsp;|| &nbsp; |- |{{flagcountry|Serbia}}||<span style="display:none">2006–12</span> December 2006 || &nbsp;|| &nbsp; |} ===Membership Action Plan=== The Membership Action Plan (MAP) mechanism is the stage in the procedure for nations wishing to join where their formal applications are reviewed by the current members. The mechanism was approved in the [[1999 Washington summit]]. A country's participation in MAP entails the annual presentation of reports concerning its progress on five different measures:<ref>[http://www.nato.int/docu/handbook/2001/hb030103.htm The Membership Action Plan – NATO Handbook]</ref> *Willingness to settle international, ethnic or external territorial disputes by peaceful means, commitment to the rule of law and human rights, and democratic control of armed forces *Ability to contribute to the organization's defence and missions *Devotion of sufficient resources to armed forces to be able to meet the commitments of membership *Security of sensitive information, and safeguards ensuring it *Compatibility of domestic legislation with NATO cooperation NATO provides feedback as well as technical advice to each country and evaluates its progress on an individual basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/issues/map/index.html|work=[[NATO]]|title= Membership Action Plan (MAP)|date=30 April 2008|accessdate= 15 September 2008}}</ref> Once a country is agreed to meet the requirements, NATO can issue that country an invitation to begin accession talks. As of April 2010, three countries have a Membership Action Plan:<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/04/22/world/international-us-nato-bosnia.html | work=The New York Times | title=NATO Agrees to Launch Bosnia Membership Plan | date=22 April 2010 | accessdate=2010-05-02}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> *{{flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] *{{flag|Macedonia}} *{{flagicon|Montenegro}} [[Montenegro]] [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] has expressed interest in receiving a MAP. [[Ukraine]] had expressed interest in receiving a MAP before June 2010, when it announced a policy change of not seeking NATO membership. Former MAP participants were [[Accession of Albania to NATO|Albania]] and [[Accession of Croatia to NATO|Croatia]] between May 2002 and April 2009, when they joined NATO. The final accession process, once invited, involves five steps leading up to the signing of the accession protocols and the acceptance and ratification of those protocols by the governments of the current NATO members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/docu/comm/2002/0211-prague/more_info/membership.htm|title=The Road to NATO membership|work=[[NATO]]|date=21 September 2007|accessdate=14 September 2008}}</ref> The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia were designated as "aspirant countries" at the North Atlantic Council meeting on 7 December 2011.<ref>[http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/official_texts_81943.htm?mode=pressrelease Press Release (2011) 145]. NATO. 7 December 2011. Accessed 3 January, 2011.</ref> ==Future enlargement== Montenegro, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are currently the only countries with a [[Membership Action Plan]]. In 2008, [[Greece]] blocked an invitation to its northern neighbor, pending resolution of the [[Macedonia naming dispute]].<ref name=veto>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7329963.stm|title= Nato Macedonia veto stokes tension|first=Oana|last=Lungescu|work=BBC News |date=2 April 2008|accessdate=2008-05-12}}</ref> Macedonia was part of the [[Vilnius group]], and had formed the [[Adriatic Charter]] with Croatia and Albania in 2003 to better coordinate NATO accession.<ref name=adriatic/> NATO is unlikely to invite countries such as [[Austria]], Finland, Ireland, Sweden, and [[Switzerland]], where the [[policy of neutrality]] is protected by current legislation and the popularity of non-alignment holds sway.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} {| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto" |+ Countries where current policy favors NATO membership !Country ![[Partnership for Peace]] ![[Individual Partnership Action Plan]] ![[Intensified Dialogue]] ![[Membership Action Plan]] |- |{{flag|Macedonia}} || <span style="display:none">1995-11</span> November 1995 || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || <span style="display:none">1999-04</span> April 1999 |- |{{flagcountry|Montenegro}}||<span style="display:none">2006–12</span> December 2006||June 2008||<span style="display:none">2008-04</span> April 2008<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.me/eng/vijesti.php?akcija=vijesti&id=153918|work= The Government of the Republic of Montenegro|title=Press release: Prime Minister Zeljko Sturanovic meets with Ambassadors of NATO countries to Montenegro|date=16 January 2008|accessdate=15 September 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>||<span style="display:none">2010-04</span>December 2009<ref name="rttnews.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews.aspx?Node=B1&Id=1148255|title=Montenegro Joins NATO Membership Action Plan|date=4 December 2009|accessdate=2009-12-04}}</ref> |- |{{flagcountry|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}||<span style="display:none">2006–12</span> December 2006||<span style="display:none">2008-01</span> January 2008<ref name=bosnia>{{cite news|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2008/01/11/nb-01|title=NATO approves BiH's pre-membership action plan|work= SETimes.com|date= 11 January 2008|accessdate=15 September 2008}}</ref>||<span style="display:none">2008-04</span> April 2008||<span style="display:none">2010-04</span> April 2010<ref name="bbcbih">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8638794.stm|title=Bosnia gets Nato membership plan|work=BBC News |date=22 April 2010|accessdate=2010-04-22}} BiH MAP is conditioned on the country fulfilling one of the conditions for [[High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina#Conditions for closure of the Office of the High Representative|OHR closure]] – the resolution of immovable Defence Property between central and entities authorities.</ref> |- |{{flagcountry|Georgia}}||<span style="display:none">1994-03</span> March 1994||<span style="display:none">2004–10</span> October 2004||<span style="display:none">2006–09</span> September 2006<ref>{{cite web |url= http://civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=13613|work= Civil Georgia|title=NATO Grants ‘Intensified Dialogue’ to Georgia|date=21 September 2006|accessdate=15 September 2008}}</ref>||<span style="display:none">2008–12</span> |- |} ===Bosnia and Herzegovina=== {{main|Accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to NATO}} [[File:Romanian Armored Personnel Carrier.JPEG|thumb|NATO led [[IFOR]] peacekeepers patrolled Bosnia and Herzegovina under [[Operation Joint Endeavour]]]] The [[1995 NATO bombing of Bosnia and Herzegovina]] targeted the [[Bosnian Serb Army]] and together with international pressure led to the resolution of the [[Bosnian War]] and the signing of the [[Dayton Agreement]] in 1995. Since then, NATO has led the [[IFOR|Implementation Force]] and [[SFOR|Stabilization Force]], and other peacekeeping efforts in the country. Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the Partnership for Peace in 2006, and signed an agreement on security cooperation in March 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/globe-article.php?yyyy=2007&mm=03&dd=19&nav_category=123&nav_id=40222| title=Bosnia, NATO sign security deal|date=19 March 2007|work= B92|accessdate=2008-09-22}}</ref> The nation began further cooperation with NATO within their Individual Partnership Action Plan in January 2008.<ref name=bosnia/> Bosnia then started the process of Intensified Dialogue at the [[2008 Bucharest summit]].<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.haaba.com/node/69065|title=Bosnia hopes to join NATO by 2015|agency=AFP |publisher=Haaba|date=27 December 2007|accessdate= 2008-09-20}}</ref> The country was invited to join the [[Adriatic Charter]] of NATO aspirants on 25 September 2008.<ref name=adriatic/> Then in November 2008, a joint announcement from the Defence Minister and NATO Mission Office in Sarajevo suggested that Bosnia and Herzegovina could join NATO by 2011 if it continues with the reforms made in the defence-area so far.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.dnevniavaz.ba/dogadjaji/teme/bih-ulazi-u-nato-2011-godine|title=BiH ulazi u NATO 2011. godine?|date=12 November 2008| accessdate=2008-11-12|work=Dnevni avaz|language=Bosnian|first=S.|last=Numanović}}</ref> In January 2009, Defence Minister [[Selmo Cikotić]] again confirmed Bosnia's interest in seeking a Membership Action Plan (MAP) at the 2009 summit, with membership by 2012 at the latest.<ref name=bih>{{cite news|url=http://www.dnevniavaz.ba/dogadjaji/teme/posljednji-korak-ka-punopravnom-clanstvu|title= Posljednji korak ka punopravnom članstvu|language=Bosnian|work=[[Avaz|Dnevni avaz]]|date=1 January 2009|accessdate=2009-01-01| coauthors=Fena}}</ref> In February 2009 The Defence Minister of BiH Selmo Cikotic presented some poll numbers on NATO-membership: 70% of the country supports NATO-membership; However while 89% of the Federation Entity supports NATO-membership, only in 35% RS-entity did.{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}} While the country did not receive an MAP at the [[2009 Strasbourg–Kehl summit|April 2009 summit in Strasbourg–Kehl]], [[Stuart Jones]], an official of the [[US State Department]], said on a September 2009 visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina that NATO was going to look at the possibilities for them to receive one in a December 2009 summit, repeating strong US support for the possibility. Then on 2 October 2009, [[Haris Silajdžić]], the Bosniak Member of the Presidency, announced official application for [[Membership Action Plan]]. On 22 April 2010, NATO agreed to launch the Membership Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina, but with certain conditions attached.<ref name="bbcbih"/> Turkey is thought to be the biggest supporter of Bosnian membership, and heavily influenced the decision.<ref>http://www.danas.org/content/nato_bih/2020960.html</ref> ===Georgia=== {{main|Georgia–NATO relations}} [[File:Georgia NATO.JPG|thumb|upright|An October 2007 sign in downtown Tbilisi promoting eventual integration with NATO]] [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] has moved quickly following the [[Rose Revolution]] in 2003 to seek closer ties with and eventual membership of NATO. Georgia's powerful northern neighbor, [[Russia]], has opposed the closer ties, including those expressed at the [[2008 Bucharest summit]] where NATO members promised that Georgia would eventually join the organization. Complications in the relationship between NATO and Georgia includes presence of Russian forces in internationally-recognized Georgian territory as a result of multiple recent conflicts, like the [[2008 South Ossetia war]], over the territories of [[Abkhazia]] and [[South Ossetia]], both of which are home to a large number of citizens of the Russian Federation. A [[Georgian NATO membership referendum, 2008|nonbinding referendum in 2008]] resulted in 77% of voters supporting NATO accession.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6341260.html|title=Some 77% Georgians vote to join NATO|date=19 January 2008|work=People's Daily Online|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> On 21 November 2011, [[Russian President]] [[Dmitry Medvedev]] while addressing soldiers in [[Vladikavkaz]] near the Georgian boarder stated that the 2008 invasion had prevented any further NATO enlargement into the former [[Soviet]] sphere.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/11/21/idINIndia-60645720111121 | work=Reuters | title=Russia says Georgia war stopped NATO expansion | date=21 November 2011}}</ref> ===Macedonia=== {{main|Accession of Macedonia to NATO}} NATO's invitation to Macedonia was blocked by [[Greece]] at the [[2008 Bucharest summit]]. NATO nations agreed that the country would receive an invitation upon resolution of the [[Macedonia naming dispute]].<ref name=veto/> Greece believes that its neighbor's constitutional name implies territorial aspirations against its own region of [[Greek Macedonia]]. After the veto, Greece was sued in the [[International Court of Justice]], over the use of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" as an acceptable option to enter NATO with. Greece may also block Macedonia's [[Accession of Macedonia to the European Union|accession to the European Union]] over the naming dispute.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/17682/|title=Macedonia 'Respects' Greece’s Identity|date=25 March 2009|first=Sinisa-Jakov| last=Marusic|work=Balkin Insight|accessdate=2009-04-02}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> [[File:2008 Bucharest summit (5).JPG|thumb|left|At the [[2008 Bucharest summit]], Macedonia was given an invitation conditional on the resolution of their naming dispute.]] A poll following the summit showed that 82.5% of citizens surveyed opposed changing the constitutional name in order to join NATO.<ref>{{cite news|title=Macedonians Won’t Give Up Name for NATO|date=13 March 2008|url=http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/30120| work=Angus Reid Global Monitor|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> NATO membership in general is supported by 85.2% of the population.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.capital.gr/news.asp?id=578168&catid=&subcat=&spcatid=&djcatid=90|title=Macedonians Hugely Oppose Name Change For NATO Entry&nbsp;— Poll|date=18 September 2008|work=Dow Jones Newswires|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> Elections were called following the 2008 summit, resulting in further support for the center-right pro-NATO party, [[VMRO–DPMNE]]. The elections were marred by violence that was criticized by NATO members.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7430468.stm| title=PM claims win in Macedonian poll|work=BBC News |date=2 June 2008|accessdate= 2008-09-20}}</ref> The country joined the [[Partnership for Peace]] in 1995, and commenced its [[Membership Action Plan]] in 1999, at the same time as [[Albania]]. Participating in the [[1999 NATO bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|1999 NATO intervention in Kosovo]], it received aid from NATO in dealing with refugees fleeing from [[Kosovo]]. In August 2001, NATO intervened in the [[2001 insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia|2001 insurgency]], during which a rebel Albanian group, the [[National Liberation Army (Albanians of Macedonia)|National Liberation Army]], fought government forces. In [[Operation Essential Harvest]], NATO troops joined with the [[Macedonian military]] to disarm rebel forces following a cease-fire agreement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/issues/nato_fyrom/evolution.html|title=NATO’s relations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia|work=[[NATO]]|date=26 May 2008|accessdate= 2008-09-22}}</ref> ===Montenegro=== {{main|Accession of Montenegro to NATO}} In 2005 the [[Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro]] had paved its way for NATO membership by adopting a Resolution in favor for it. [[Montenegro]] declared independence from [[Serbia and Montenegro|its State Union with Serbia]] on 3 June 2006. The new country subsequently joined the Partnership for Peace programme at the [[2006 Riga summit]]. In November 2007, Montenegro signed a transit agreement with NATO, allowing the alliance's troops to move across the country.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/27/content_7150443.htm|title=Montenegro, NATO sign transit arrangement|work=Xinhua| publisher=ChinaView|date=27 November 2007|accessdate=2008-09-20|first=Mu|last=Xuequan}}</ref> Montenegro then signed an agreement with the United States, in which Montenegro will destroy its outdated weaponry as a precondition for NATO membership.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/roundup/2007/12/04/roundup-dd-03|title=Turkey's Gul meets with Pakistani leaders|work=[[Southeast European Times]] |date=12 April 2007|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> In late 2007, Montenegro's Defence Minister [[Boro Vučinić]] said that Montenegro would intensify its accession to the alliance after the [[2008 Bucharest summit]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2007&mm=12&dd=26&nav_id=46475|title=Montenegro moving towards NATO membership|work=B92|date=26 December 2007|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> Montenegro has received support for its membership from many NATO countries, including Romania and Turkey.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.makfax.com.mk/look/novina/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=2&NrArticle=97245&NrIssue=554&NrSection=10|title=Romania wants Macedonia, Albania and Croatia to join NATO|work=MakFax|date=11 January 2008|accessdate=2008-09-20 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080506155426/http://www.makfax.com.mk/look/novina/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=2&NrArticle=97245&NrIssue=554&NrSection=10 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 6 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=132010|title=Ankara lends support to Montenegro’s bids for membership in NATO, EU|work=[[Today's Zaman]]|date=19 January 2008|accessdate=2008-09-20 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080619085119/http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=132010 |archivedate = 19 June 2008}}</ref> Montenegro adopted an Individual Partnership Action Plan in June 2008 and was invited to join the Adriatic Charter of NATO aspirants on 25 September 2008.<ref name=adriatic>{{cite news|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2008/09/26/nb-05| title=BiH, Montenegro invited to join Adriatic Charter of NATO aspirants|date=26 September 2008|work=Southeast European Times|first= Dnevni|last=Avaz|accessdate=2008-10-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/issues/nato-montenegro/index.html|title=NATO’s relations with Montenegro|work=[[NATO]]|date=3 July 2008|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> The country applied for a Membership Action Plan on 5 November 2008 with support of Prime Minister [[Milo Đukanović]],<ref name=cgmap>{{cite web| url=http://ww.njegoskij.org/article629.html|title=Montenegro submitted its formal application for NATO’s Membership Action Plan (MAP)|date=5 November 2008|accessdate=2009-01-06|work=Njegoskij Fund Network}}</ref> which was granted in December 2009.<ref name="rttnews.com"/> The present political climate in dubious on Montenegro's potential membership in the NATO. According to the October of 2009 poll, only 31.2% of Montenegro's populace is in support of NATO membership, while 44% is opposed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cedem.me/fajlovi/editor_fajlovi/istrazivanja/CEDEM_oktobar09.pdf|title=Political Public Opinion in Montenegro|format=PDF|work=Foundation Open Society Institute|month=October| year=2009|accessdate=2010-05-22}}</ref> The memory of NATO's [[1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia|1999 bombing campaign]] of the then [[Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]] and its destruction and civilian casualties thereof form a crucial part of the dominating opposition to NATO membership in Montenegro, although NATO's role and approach to [[International recognition of Kosovo|the Kosovo problem]] have further considerably aided the objection. Serbia's recent declared "military neutrality" has also influenced on Montenegro's non-decisive position on the question of NATO membership. Montenegro has begun to contribute to NATO military missions. The country plans to deploy 40 soldiers, a three member military medical team, and two officers under German command to [[Afghanistan]] in 2010. Montenegrin peacekeepers will also be deployed to [[Liberia]] and [[Somalia]].<ref>http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/features/setimes/features/2009/07/30/featue-02</ref> ==Relations with other countries== [[File:NATO in Europe.png|thumb|400px|<center>Map of NATO in Europe{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}{{legend|#3366cc|[[Members of NATO]]|outline=black}}{{legend|#00ffff|[[Membership Action Plan]]|outline=black}}{{legend|darkgreen|[[Intensified Dialogue]]|outline=black}}{{col-2}}{{legend|#ffff00|[[Individual Partnership Action Plan]]|outline=black}}{{legend|#ff7826|[[Partnership for Peace]]|outline=black}}{{col-end}}]] ===Armenia=== [[Armenia]] has signed up for the [[Partnership for Peace]] programme and the [[Individual Partnership Action Plan]],<ref>http://www.panarmenian.net/news/eng/?nid=21489</ref> but Armenia is unlikely to join NATO as its policies often align it closer with [[Russia]], and it remains a member of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]]. Armenia pulled out of its participation in NATO military exercises in Georgia on 8 May 2009, because of NATO's Secretary-General's alleged support of [[Azerbaijan]], possibly making it even less likely that Armenia will eventually join NATO.<ref>http://www.rferl.org/content/Armenia_Says_NATO_Support_For_Azerbaijan_Prompted_Pullout/1624565.html</ref> ===Azerbaijan=== According to a NATO diplomatic source in August 2009 some key officials at NATO headquarters in [[Brussels]] were pushing hard for engaging [[Azerbaijan]] on the membership question. "Turkey, Romania, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom and the [[Baltic states]]" are among the members backing a fast track for Azerbaijan's NATO membership. While President [[Ilham Aliyev]] has generally supported neutrality since his rise to power in 2003, Azerbaijan has however hosted NATO military exercises and high-profile meetings in 2009.<ref>[http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insightb/articles/eav060409.shtml EURASIA INSIGHT – AZERBAIJAN: BAKU CAN LEAPFROG OVER UKRAINE, GEORGIA FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP – SOURCE]</ref> The unresolved conflict over [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] would present a major roadblock to membership.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}} ===Finland=== [[Finland]] participates in nearly all sub-areas of the Partnership for Peace programme, and has provided peacekeeping forces to both the Afghanistan and Kosovo missions. However, a 2005 poll indicated that the public was strongly against NATO membership.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/1101978684236|title=Clear majority of Finns still opposed to NATO membership|work= Helsingin Sanomat|date=28 February 2005|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> The possibility of Finland's membership in NATO was one of the most important issues debated in relation to the [[Finnish presidential election, 2006|Finnish presidential election of 2006]].<ref name=sauli>{{cite news|url=http://www.worldpress.org/Europe/2279.cfm|title=Finland Debates Its Ties With NATO|first=Jeroen|last=Bult|date= 3 March 2006|accessdate=2008-09-20|work=Worldpress}}</ref> The main opposition candidate in the 2006 election, [[Sauli Niinistö]] of the [[National Coalition Party (Finland)|National Coalition Party]], supported Finland joining a "more European" NATO.<ref name=sauli/> Fellow right-winger [[Henrik Lax]] of the [[Swedish People's Party (Finland)|Swedish People's Party]] likewise supported the concept. On the other side, president [[Tarja Halonen]] of the [[Social Democratic Party of Finland|Social Democratic Party]] opposed changing the status quo, as did most other candidates in the election. Her victory and re-election to the post of president has currently put the issue of a NATO membership for Finland on hold for at least the duration of her term. Finland could however change its official position on NATO membership after the [[Treaty of Lisbon|new EU treaty]] clarifies if there will be any new EU-level defence deal, but in the meantime [[Finnish Defence Forces]] are making technical preparations for membership, stating that it would increase Finland's security.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://euobserver.com/9/23948|work=EUobserver|title=Finland waits for new EU treaty before NATO membership review|first=Andrew|last=Rettman|date=26 April 2007|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> Currently no political party explicitly supports NATO membership. Other political figures of Finland who have weighed in with opinions include former President of Finland [[Martti Ahtisaari]] who has argued that Finland should join all the organizations supported by other Western democracies in order "to shrug off once and for all the burden of [[Finlandization]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20031215IE6|title= Former President Ahtisaari: NATO membership would put an end to Finlandisation murmurs|work=Helsingin Sanomat|date=15 December 2003| accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> Another ex-president, [[Mauno Koivisto]], opposes the idea, arguing that NATO membership would ruin Finland's relations with [[Russia]]. Finland has received some very critical feedback from Russia for even considering the possibility of joining NATO,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20040120IE3|title=Finland, NATO, and Russia|work=Helsingin Sanomat|date=20 January 2004|accessdate=2008-09-20|first=Max|last=Jakobson}}</ref> with a 2009 study suggesting this could have repercussions for Russia's relations with the EU and NATO as a whole.<ref>[http://www.da.mod.uk/colleges/arag/document-listings/special/09(14)%20KGSE%20Web.pdf Waking the Neighbour: Finland, NATO and Russia: [[Keir Giles]] and Susanna Eskola, [[UK Defence Academy]], November 2009]</ref> In October 2009, [[Finnish Prime Minister]] [[Matti Vanhanen]] reiterated that Finland had no plans to join NATO, and stated that the main lesson of the [[2008 South Ossetia war]] was the need for closer ties to Russia.<ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aqM3uWSVFD7s Deeper Russia Ties Is Georgia War Lesson, Finnish Premier Says] [[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] Retrieved on 2009-10-09</ref> ===Moldova=== {{Main|NATO and Moldova}} [[Image:Stamp of Moldova 302.gif|thumb|Moldovan stamp commemorating [[Mircea Snegur|Snegur]] and [[Manfred Wörner|Wörner]] signing Moldova's [[Partnership for Peace]] agreement in 1994]] [[Moldova]] does not currently have plans to join NATO. It has participated in the [[Partnership for Peace]] programme and the [[Individual Partnership Action Plan]]. The former communist government was seen as more allied with [[Russia]] and is already a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States. In April 2009 Moldova announced it would not participate in the June NATO military exercises.<ref>http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/roundup/2009/04/28/roundup-dd-03</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8035397.stm |work=BBC News | title=Russia expels Canadian diplomats | date=6 May 2009 | accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref> The new ruling party, the [[Alliance for European Integration]], elected in the [[Moldovan parliamentary election, July 2009]], has declined to so far take any action to either move it toward membership, or withdraw from the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]], and denies plans to do either.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.kyivpost.com/world/48747 |title= Moldova's acting president denies that Moldova plans to leave CIS, enter NATO |date= 16 September 2009 |accessdate= 17 September 2009 |work= [[Kyiv Post]]}}</ref> Moldova also has an ongoing internal conflict with the territory of [[Transnistria]]. ===Russia=== {{main|NATO–Russia relations}} In April 2009, the Polish Foreign Minister, [[Radosław Sikorski]], suggested including [[Russia]] in NATO. In March 2010 this suggestion was repeated in an open letter co-written by German defense experts General [[Klaus Naumann]], [[Frank Elbe]], [[Ulrich Weisser]], and former German [[Defence Minister of Germany|Defense Minister]] [[Volker Rühe]]. In the letter it was suggested that Russia was needed in the wake of an emerging multi-polar world in order for NATO to counterbalance emerging Asian powers.<ref>[http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,682287,00.html Ex-minister wants to bring Russia into NATO] [[Der Spiegel]] Retrieved on 9 March 2010</ref> However Russian leadership has made it clear that Russia does not plan to join the alliance, preferring to keep cooperation on a lower level. The Russian envoy to NATO, [[Dmitry Rogozin]], is quoted as saying "Great powers don't join coalitions, they create coalitions. Russia considers itself a great power," although he said that Russia did not rule out membership at some point in the future.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://euobserver.com/13/27890| title= Russia does not rule out future NATO membership| publisher= EUobserver| accessdate= 2009-05-01}}</ref> ===Serbia=== [[Serbia]] originally determined in 2005, as [[Serbia and Montenegro]], to join NATO.{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}} The subsequent independence of [[Montenegro]] and [[Kosovo]] have strained relations between Serbia and NATO. [[Serbia]] however joined the [[Partnership for Peace]] programme during the [[2006 Riga Summit]]. While this programme is sometimes the first step towards full NATO membership, it is uncertain whether Serbia perceives it as signaling an intent to join the alliance. NATO historically fought [[Bosnian Serb|Bosnian-Serbian]] forces during the [[Bosnia war]] and [[Serbia]] during the 1999 [[Kosovo conflict]].<ref>{{cite web|work=B92|url=http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2007&mm=10&dd=06&nav_category=11&nav_id=266655|title=Military independence is not isolation|language=Serbian|date=6 October 2007|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> Following NATO's open support to [[2008 Kosovo declaration of independence|Kosovo's declaration of independence]] in January 2008, support for NATO integration greatly dropped. An earlier poll in September 2007 had showed that 28% of Serbian citizens supported NATO membership, with 58% supporting the [[Partnership for Peace]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/29446/serbians_yearn_for_eu_reject_joining_nato/|title=Serbians Yearn for EU, Reject Joining NATO|date=25 December 2007|accessdate=2008-09-20| work=Angus Reid Global Monitor}}</ref> The only political parties which currently support NATO integration are the minor opposition [[Liberal Democratic Party (Serbia 2005)|Liberal Democratic Party]] and [[Serbian Renewal Movement]]. The [[Democratic Party (Serbia)|Democratic Party]] abandoned its pro-NATO attitude, claiming the Partnership for Peace is enough. Although current Serbian priorities do not include NATO membership, the Alliance has offered [[Serbia]] an invitation to enter the [[Intensified Dialogue|intensified dialogue]] programme whenever the country is ready.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=04&dd=03&nav_id=49084|title=NATO offers "intensified dialogue" to Serbia|work=B92|date= 3 April 2008|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> On 1 October 2008, Serbian Defence Minister [[Dragan Šutanovac]] signed the Information Exchange Agreement with the NATO, one of the prerequisites for fuller membership in the [[Partnership for Peace]] programme.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/newsbriefs/setimes/newsbriefs/2008/10/01/nb-01|title= Serbia signs information exchange agreement with NATO|work=Southeast European Times|date=1 October 2008|accessdate=2008-10-03}}</ref> ===Sweden=== In 1949 [[Sweden]] chose not to join NATO and declared a security policy aiming for non-alignment in peace and neutrality in war. A modified version now qualifies non-alignment in peace for possible neutrality in war.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}} As such, the Swedish government decided not to participate in the membership of NATO because they wanted to remain neutral in a potential war. This position was maintained without much discussion during the [[Cold War]]. Since the 1990s however there has been an active debate in Sweden on the question of NATO membership in the post–Cold War world.{{Citation needed|date=May 2007}} These ideological divides were visible again in November 2006 when Sweden could either buy two new transport planes or join NATO's plane pool, and in December 2006, when Sweden was invited to join the [[NATO Response Force]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Sweden 'should join NATO plane pool'|work=The Local| date=11 November 2006|url=http://www.thelocal.se/5481/20061111/|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sweden could join new NATO force|work=[[The Local]]|date=2 December 2006|url=http://www.thelocal.se/5670/20061202/|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> While the governing parties in Sweden have opposed membership, they have participated in NATO-led missions in Bosnia ([[IFOR]] and [[SFOR]]), Kosovo ([[Kosovo Force|KFOR]]), Afghanistan ([[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]]) and Libya ([[Operation Unified Protector]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.se/sv/Internationella-insatser/Utlandsstyrkan/Truppinsatser/IFORSFOR--Bosnien/ |title=IFOR/SFOR – Bosnien |date= 3 November 2008 |publisher=mil.se |accessdate=13 February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.se/sv/Internationella-insatser/Kosovo--KFOR/Om-insatsen/ |title=Om insatsen i Kosovo |date= 29 October 2009 |publisher=mil.se |accessdate=13 February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mil.se/sv/Internationella-insatser/Afghanistan--Isaf/Om-insatsen/ |title=Om insatsen i Afghanistan |date= 22 September 2009 |publisher=mil.se |accessdate=13 February 2010}}</ref> The Swedish [[Centre Party (Sweden)|Centre Party]] and [[Swedish Social Democratic Party|Social Democratic party]] have remained in favor of non-alignment.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[Centerpartiet]]|url=http://www.centerpartiet.se/templates2/Page.aspx?id=33713|title= Nato|accessdate=2008-09-20|year=2006|language=Swedish}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=[[Socialdemokraterna]]|url= http://www.socialdemokraterna.se/Internationellt/Internationellt-A-O/NATO/|title=NATO|accessdate=2008-09-20|year=2008|language= Swedish}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> This preference is shared by the [[Miljöpartiet|Green party]], [[Vänsterpartiet|Left party]] and the [[Kristdemokraterna|Christian Democrats]].<ref>{{cite web|work=[[Miljöpartiet]]|url=http://mp.se/templates/Mct_78.aspx?avdnr=12306&number=110521|title=NATO|date=29 August 2006|accessdate=2008-09-20|language=Swedish}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=[[Vänsterpartiet]]|url= http://www.vansterpartiet.se/component/option,com_easyfaq/task,view/id,12/Itemid,303|title=Försvar och säkerhet|language=Swedish| accessdate=2008-09-20}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=[[Kristdemokraterna]]|url=http://www.kristdemokraterna.se/VarPolitik/Politikomraden/ForsvarOchSakerhet.aspx|title=Security and Defense|accessdate=2008-09-20|language=Swedish}}</ref> The right wing [[Moderate Party]] as well as the [[Liberal People's Party (Sweden)|Liberal party]] are the only parties with representation in the parliament today that are in favor of NATO membership.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[Moderaterna]]|url=http://www.moderat.se/faq.aspx?faqid=112| title=Vill moderaterna att Sverige ska gå med i NATO?|language=Swedish|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work= [[Folkpartiet]]|url=http://www.folkpartiet.se/FPTemplates/ImportantArea____20463.aspx|title=Sverige i världen|language=Swedish| accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> Prime Minister [[Fredrik Reinfeldt]] stated on 18 September 2007 that Swedish membership in NATO would require a "very wide" majority in Parliament, including the [[Swedish Social Democratic Party|social democrats]], and coordination with Finland.<ref>{{cite news|title=Riksdagsåret inleds idag|work=[[Dagens Nyheter]]|date=18 September 2007|url= http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1042&a=693993&rss=1399|accessdate=2008-09-20|first=Gunnar|last=Jonsson|language=Swedish}}</ref> A 2005 poll indicated that 46% of Swedes were opposed to NATO membership, with 22% supporting it.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse |date=15 May 2006|url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=1800844&C=europe|title=Swedes Still Opposed to NATO Membership: Poll|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> Another poll in May 2008 showed that 37% of the Swedes are in favor of membership, while 41% are against. Support for NATO membership though, has risen dramatically since March 2008, when only 29% were in favor.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1042&a=770902|title=Allt fler vill att Sverige går med i Nato|publisher=[[Dagens Nyheter]] |date=17 May 2008|accessdate=2008-05-18}}</ref> ===Ukraine=== {{main|Ukraine–NATO relations}} At the beginning of 2008, the [[President of Ukraine|Ukrainian President]], [[Prime Minister of Ukraine|Prime Minister]] and head of parliament sent an official letter to apply for the Membership Action Plan. The idea of [[Ukraine|Ukrainian]] membership in NATO has gained support from a number of NATO leaders.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.slovakspectator.sk/clanok.asp?cl=22855|title= President Gašparovič meets Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister|work=[[The Slovak Spectator]]|date=20 March 2006|accessdate=2008-09-20| first=Marta|last=Ďurianová}}</ref> At the [[2008 Bucharest summit]], NATO Secretary General [[Jaap de Hoop Scheffer]] declared in a press conference that Georgia and Ukraine will join NATO. Within the NATO-Ukraine working commission, NATO officials reassured Ukraine officials that they are willing to invite their country to join the Alliance. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, Alexander Grushko, announced that NATO membership for Ukraine was not in Russia's best interests and wouldn't help the relations of the two countries.<ref>[http://www.interfax.kiev.ua/eng/go.cgi?31,20060424001 News of Ukraine :: Interfax – Ukraine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Image:Feodosiya protest 2006.jpg|left|thumb|Anti-NATO signs in [[Feodosiya]] in 2006]] According to numerous independent polls conducted since 2002, Ukrainian public opinion on NATO membership is split, with the majority of those polled against joining the military alliance and many identifying it as a threat.<ref name=unian>{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-267760.html|title=Politics as usual|work=UNIAN|date=18 August 2008|accessdate=2008-09-20|first=Igor|last=Khrestin}}</ref><ref>[http://razumkov.org.ua/eng/poll.php?poll_id=46 Razumkov Centre poll] Retrieved on 26 August 2009</ref> According to the [[FOM-Ukraine]] pollster, as of April 2009, 57% of Ukrainians polled were against joining the alliance, while 21% were in favor.<ref>[http://bd.fom.ru/report/map/ukrain/ukrain_eo/du090430 FOM-Ukraine April 2009 survey], [[FOM-Ukraine]] Retrieved on 4 June 2009</ref> A [[Gallup poll]] conducted in October 2008 showed that 45% associated NATO as a threat to their country, while only 15% associated it with protection.<ref>[http://www.gallup.com/poll/110848/Ukrainians-May-Oppose-Presidents-ProWestern-Goals.aspx Ukrainians May Oppose President’s Pro-Western Goals] [[The Gallup Organization|Gallup]] Retrieved on 26 August 2009</ref> Protests, such as the [[Crimean anti-NATO protests of 2006]], have taken place by opposition blocs against the idea, and petitions signed urging the end of relations with NATO. Influential [[Politics of Ukraine|Ukrainian politicians]] like [[Yuriy Yekhanurov]] and [[Yulia Tymoshenko]] have stated Ukraine will not join NATO as long as the public continues opposing the move.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/ukraine/2008/ukraine-080119-rianovosti01.htm|title=Ukraine will not join NATO without referendum|work=[[GlobalSecurity]]|date=19 January 2008|accessdate=2008-09-20| volume=5|issue=173}}</ref> This was also confirmed by a 6 March 2008 agreement between the parliamentary coalition and opposition parties which says that any international agreements regarding Ukraine’s entry to NATO must be decided by referendum. Recently the [[Ukrainian government]] started an information campaign, aimed at informing the Ukrainian people about the consequences of membership.<ref name=unian/><ref>[http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=4735634&PageNum=0 Itar-Tass<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The [[Ukrainian presidential election, 2010|2010 election]] returned [[Viktor Yanukovych]] as [[Ukrainian President]] and marked a turnaround in Ukraine's relations with NATO. In February 2010, he stated that Ukraine's relations with NATO were currently "well-defined", and that there was "no question of Ukraine joining NATO". He said the issue of Ukrainian membership of NATO might "emerge at some point, but we will not see it in the immediate future."<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/ukraine/2010/ukraine-100213-rianovosti02.htm Yanukovych opens door to Russian navy keeping base in Ukraine] [[GlobalSecurity.org]] Retrieved on 9 March 2010</ref> While visiting [[Brussels]] in March 2010, he further stated that there would be no change to Ukraine's status as a member of the alliance's outreach program.<ref>[http://www.kyivpost.com/news/nation/detail/60720/ Ukraine's Yanukovych: EU ties a 'key priority'], [[Kyiv Post]] (1 March 2010)</ref> He later reiterated during a trip to Moscow that Ukraine would remain a "European, non-aligned state."<ref>[http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=227513 Ukraine vows new page in ties with Russia] Retrieved on 9 March 2010</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/7774665/Ukraine-drops-Nato-membership-pursuit.html |title= Ukraine drops Nato membership pursuit |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date= 28 May 2010 |accessdate= 7 June 2010}}</ref> Then, on 3 June 2010 the [[Verkhovna Rada|Ukrainian parliament]] voted to exclude the goal of "integration into Euro-Atlantic security and NATO membership" from the country's national security strategy in a bill drafted by Yanukovych himself.<ref name=radanonato>[http://euobserver.com/24/30212 Ukraine drops NATO membership bid], [[EUobserver]] (6 June 2010)</ref> The bill forbids Ukraine's membership of any military bloc, but allows for co-operation with alliances such as NATO.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/10229626.stm Ukraine's parliament votes to abandon Nato ambitions], [[BBC News]] (3 June 2010)</ref> "[[Ukraine and the European Union|European integration]]" is still part of Ukraine's national security strategy.<ref name=radanonato/> ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==External links== *[http://www.nato.int/issues/enlargement/index.html Official NATO enlargement site] {{NATO candidates}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Enlargement Of Nato}} [[Category:Enlargement of NATO| ]] [[de:NATO-Osterweiterung]] [[es:Ampliación de la OTAN]] [[ru:Расширение НАТО]]'