For Poland, the event crowned years of effort to obtain reliable security guarantees. NATO accession was also an opportunity for the country’s development and economic growth as part of the Western community of interests and values.

Today, Poland strengthens and modernises its armed forces. It plays a key role in defending the North Atlantic Alliance’s eastern flank. The Polish army takes part in Allied deterrence and defence measures and NATO’s missions and operations. We are consistently pursuing NATO’s effective adjustment to a volatile security situation, which is particularly important in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

The North Atlantic Alliance has ensured the security of its members for 75 years now as a central component of the strategic relations linking Europe with the United States and Canada. The same as 75 years ago, the transatlantic defence cooperation forms the foundation of present-day security in Europe and remains a source of stability and peace in the world.

Owing to the accession of Sweden on 7 March, the latest expansion of NATO has added significantly to the security of not only Poland but also the Baltic Sea region and NATO as a whole.

Published below are two historic documents that go back 25 years to offer an insight into that special day in the history of Poland:

1. NATO’s press release from 1999—a welcoming statement by the North Atlantic Council to Czechia, Hungary, and Poland;

2. Letter from NATO’s Secretary General to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland communicating approval of Poland’s accession to NATO in 1999.

 

Author/photo source: CLIFF SCHIAPPA / AP POOL
Provider: PAP/EPA