Past and Present: Estonia and U.S. Partnership October 23, 2009

Host: The Heritage Foundation. In 2004 Estonia and six other countries were granted membership to NATO. This historic accomplishment followed remarkable efforts beginning in the early 1990s by the three newly free and independent Baltic States. By carefully directing their domestic and foreign policy, as well as actively engaging in public diplomacy, they achieved this objective. Estonia’s dedication to democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights and the fundamental freedoms of all people helped cement its partnership with the United States. Prior to that, the U.S. support for Estonia and her Baltic neighbors within the U.S. administration and in Congress was embodied in the U.S.-Baltic Charter of 1998. Despite sustained opposition from Moscow, and fears by some on both sides of the Atlantic of Russia’s opposition to the Baltic States joining NATO, membership in NATO has proved to be a success.

Official Website: http://www.heritage.org/press/events/ev102309a.cfm