2002 Prague Summit

The 2002 Prague Summit was a major meeting of NATO leaders held in Prague, Czech Republic. It marked the alliance's strategic goal to become a NATO that is "smarter, leaner, and more effective," focusing on new threats like terrorism and cyber-attacks. Key decisions included inviting seven Central and Eastern European countries—such as Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic—to join NATO, symbolizing the expansion of Western security. The summit also emphasized building partnerships with other countries and enhancing NATO’s ability to respond rapidly to crises. Overall, it represented NATO’s evolution in addressing 21st-century security challenges.