Since its creation in May 2000 the Vilnius group (NATO candidate countries - Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia*, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia) has successfully cooperated by organizing high level meetings on a regular basis. It has strengthened practical cooperation and exchange of information of the Vilnius group countries in the NATO capitals. The Vilnius group has provided practical and political support to NATO in strengthening European security and stability.
* Croatia joined the Vilnius group in May 2001.
Latvian initiatives & activities in the framework of Vilnius group
The Summit of the NATO Aspirant countries "Riga 2002: The Bridge to Prague" took place in Riga, Latvia, on July 5-6, 2002, where the leaders of NATO member and aspirant countries gathered for the last time before the NATO 2002 Prague Summit in November. The participants of the Riga Summit jointly expressed solidarity in NATO enlargement issue, reviewed the individual work of each country, discussed the building of community based on shared values and the aspirants- contribution to Euro-Atlantic security (www.rigasummit.lv).
1. Latvia has submitted the projects of the Agreements on the Protection of Classified Information to the all candidate states.
2. Regular meetings with the Ambassadors of Vilnius group in the NATO capitals are being carried, with participation of NATO enlargement decision makers from the host countries (Representatives from MFA, MOD, journalists, analysts).
3. Vilnius group cooperates closely in Brussels, NATO HQ and Washington in the framework of EAPC meetings.
Main events during 2000 - 2003
| 2003 |
21 May |
The Speakers of the Parliaments of the Vilnius group meet in Trakai, Lithuania |
5 February |
| 2002 |
| 2001 |
| 2000 |