The Washington Summit will bring together the leaders of 44 nations, making it the largest international gathering ever hosted in the nation's capital. Here is a schedule of planned official events:

FRIDAY, APRIL 23

NATO Leaders Meeting on Kosovo

President Clinton, NATO Secretary General Javier Solana and the leaders of the North Atlantic Council open NATO's 50th Anniversary Summit by convening a working session on Kosovo at the International Trade Center.

NATO 50th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony

The leaders attend a ceremony commemorating the 50th Anniversary of NATO and welcoming the leaders of the three new NATO members: the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. The ceremony will be held at the Mellon Auditorium, the site of the original signing of the NATO Treaty in 1949. During the ceremony, each member will sign the Washington Declaration, a statement of NATO's enduring purposes and of the allies' undiminished commitment to the Alliance and to the Euro-Atlantic partnership in the future.

White House Dinner for NATO Leaders

The President hosts a dinner in the East Room of the White House in honor of NATO leaders.

SATURDAY, APRIL 24

Opening Session of the NATO Summit

President Clinton and Secretary General Solana address the opening session of the NATO Summit at the Mellon Auditorium. The session will focus on a package of initiatives that will enable NATO to meet the security challenges of the 21st century through an agenda focused on new missions, new members and stronger partnerships.

Working Lunches for NATO Leaders, Ministers and Senior Officials

The leaders, ministers and senior officials of NATO attend working lunches, while the leaders' and ministers' spouses dine at the White House and the residence of the Vice President, respectively.

Joint Press Conference of President Clinton and General Solana

The President and Secretary General Solana will hold a joint press conference at the International Trade Center Amphitheater to highlight accomplishments of the day's meetings.

NATO-Ukraine Commission

President Clinton, Secretary General Solana and the NATO leaders meet with the President of Ukraine in a session of the NATO Ukraine Commission at the Mellon Auditorium.

Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council Dinner

The President will welcome NATO's twenty-five Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council states at a dinner held on the South Lawn of the White House. This event will be attended by the Allied and Partner delegations, members of Congress, and leading figures in Alliance policy communities.

SUNDAY, APRIL 25

NATO Leaders and Neighboring States Meeting

The President will convene a meeting of the NATO leaders and the leaders of the Neighboring States in the Mellon Auditorium.

Opening Session of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council Summit

President Clinton and NATO Secretary General Javier Solana address the opening session of the Summit of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) at the Mellon auditorium. Following the address, the President will attend a private working session with members of the EAPC.

Working Lunches for Leaders, Ministers and Senior Officials

The leaders, ministers and senior officials will attend working lunches, while the leaders' and ministers' spouses dine at the Blair House and the residence of the Kennedy Center, respectively.

President's Departure Statement

The President will give a departure statement to close the 1999 Washington Summit, followed by a briefing by Secretary of State Madeline Albright, Secretary of Defense William Cohen, and National Security Advisor Samuel Berger. Soon after, the delegations begin to depart Washington.