All 19 of NATO's member nations have strongly praised the formal invitation of membership to seven former communist countries: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia

U.S. President George W. Bush said the invitations -- made today during a summit in Prague -- will reaffirm NATO's commitment to peace in Europe: "We believe today's decision reaffirms our commitment to freedom and our commitment to a Europe which is whole and free and at peace. America is very pleased by today's decision. We believe it strengthens our nation's most important alliance, NATO. By welcoming seven members, we will not only add to our military capabilities, we will refresh the spirit of this great democratic alliance." The expansion was formerly made by NATO Secretary-General Lord George Robertson, who said: "I, therefore, put it to the heads of state and government of NATO meeting here in the North Atlantic Council that we invite to accession talks with NATO the following nations: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. I take it that this is agreed. [He hammers the gavel.] Thank you very much. The council has so decided." Applause then broke out. British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the addition of the seven countries represents "the importance of the trans-Atlantic alliance. It also deepens the stability of Europe, which is the historic mission of the alliance and, taken together with the new relationship between the alliance and Russia, I think it marks a profound step in improving European security".