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On 11 July, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis welcomed the end of ratification of the NATO and EU enlargement documents in Germany. “We rejoice over quick ratification of the NATO and EU enlargement documents in our ally’s Parliament. The current events attach significance to the historical process of Europe’s unification and close the gloomy page of divisions in Europe in the past,” – the Minister noted. On 11 July, the Upper House of Germany’s Parliament – the Bundesrat – approved unanimously the ratification of the entry to NATO protocols by Lithuania and the six other Central European countries. The Bundesrat also ratified unanimously the EU accession treaty, opening the door for the ten Central European countries to the European Union. So far the NATO enlargement protocols have been ratified by Canada, Norway, the USA, Denmark and Hungary. The EU accession treaty has been ratified by Denmark. Lithuania should become a fully-fledged member of the Alliance in the middle of May next year during the NATO Summit in Istanbul. The country hopes to access the European Union on 1 May 2004.