Baltic States: Only 'Fine Points' Remain For Charter

  • By Kevin Foley


Washington, 15 October 1997 (RFE/RL) - The United States and Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have concluded talks on a charter agreement. Officials say only a few fine points remain to be worked out before the document is considered final.

Senior diplomats from each of the three Baltic republics held a full day of talks at the State Department yesterday with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Canada Ronald Asmus. The delegations have already left Washington.

Latvian Ambassador to the U.S. Ojars Kalnins told RFE/RL today that the talks were very productive and successful. He says the remaining details will be worked out through diplomatic channels, and he says the sides hope to have a document ready by early December for signing in Washington by the presidents of all four countries.

The charter, officials say, is intended to provide a vision of U.S.-Baltic relations, strengthen ties between the Baltics and the U.S. and further integrate the three nations into Western Europe.