That is why NATO's recent decision to invite the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland is so crucial. It is the most visible sign that our Atlantic community is growing. I do not know how much paper and how many trees it has taken to argue about NATO enlargement in newspapers and periodicals. I do not think it is necessary to dwell at greater length on the pros and cons. To me, this is a settled issue.
Enlargement is as inevitable politically as it is necessary morally.
It will remove the invisible barriers that still divide Europe. It will give the new democracies to our East confidence in their future political and economic development. And it will prevent the expensive and potentially dangerous re-nationalization of their defense policies. Enlargement is therefore about much more than military interoperability. So, the decision to invite Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic to join NATO marked a real watershed.