![]() Participation in the MAP helped prepare the seven countries that joined NATO in the second post-Cold War round of enlargement in 2004 (Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia) as well as Albania and Croatia, which joined in April 2009. The process drew heavily on the experience gained during the accession process of Czechia, Hungary and Poland, which became members in the Alliance’s first post-Cold War round of enlargement in 1999. The MAP was launched in April 1999 at the Alliance’s Washington Summit to help countries aspiring to NATO membership in their preparations. ![]() Throughout the year, meetings and workshops with NATO civilian and military experts in various fields allow for discussion of the entire spectrum of issues relevant to membership. ![]() A key element is the defence planning approach for aspirants, which includes elaboration and review of agreed planning targets. This includes both political and technical advice, as well as annual meetings between all NATO members and individual aspirants at the level of the North Atlantic Council to assess progress, on the basis of an annual progress report. The MAP process provides a focused and candid feedback mechanism on aspirant countries' progress on their programmes. These cover political, economic, defence, resource, security and legal aspects. ![]() Upon decision of the North Atlantic Council, countries participate in the MAP by submitting individual annual national programmes on their preparations for possible future membership.
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