NATO decision rests on perception of democracy

Meeting with top Slovak officials on June 17, North Atlantic Assembly President Karsten Voigt said it is "an illusion" to think that Slovakia can enter NATO based on its strategic geographical position alone, Slovak and international media reported. "My impression is that the final decision will be based on the perception of democratic culture," he said, pointing to Western concerns about Slovak political developments. Voigt said NATO will decide early next year which countries will join and when. If Slovakia is not included in the first round, "there might be the second round of enlargement, but nobody knows when," he stressed.