In a statement given for the NATO Magazine the president of Romania, Traian Basescu was keen to mention that "in the Eastern Europe, the region of the Black Sea is part of the NATO process to promote democracy and stability in Europe. This region located at the crossroad between European and Central Asia and Middle East is also the central point of trade, energy and transport connections. The government and the people make efforts for security, modernization and for a better life, confronting in parallel with criminality between boarders and frozen conflicts. There were elaborated reforms and democratic changes took place but the challenges still carry on and the NATON support and assistance are further on necessary".
The President Basescu added that for the accomplishment of these objectives “a commitment on behalf of Russia is needed”.
The expansion of the Alliance is one of the main subjects within the Summit, the President Basescu mentioning in the statement given to the NATO magazine that "the expansion represents a visionary effort finalized by success ", adding that the NATO member states consolidated its security through its expansion at other states that share common values. "At the Summit in Bucharest we are hoping that we could invite Albany, Croatia and the former Republic of Yugoslavia and Macedonia to become members of the Alliance and we encourage these states to accelerate their preparations within this reason", mentioned Traian Basescu.
The President also added that he hoped that "the Alliance would continue its commitment and expansion policy in the region of the Black Sea through the consolidation of its support for the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Georgia and Ukraine and also through the partnerships with the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijani". Within this context the Chief of State expressed Romania’s hope that the Summit from Bucharest would end by adopting a decision of granting MAP to Georgia.
Regarding Ukraine the President’s message is with shades of difference. "We are also prepared to assist Ukraine for the accomplishment of the Euro-Atlantic aspirations based on the political will and on the support of the citizens", mentions the President, adding that NATO should continue developing its collaboration wits its partners from Central Asia in order to support Euro-Atlantic and regional security.
In the statement it is also shown that the activation of the common defense clause within NATO after the attacks from the 11th of September proved not only the commitment of the member states of the Alliance Charta but also their capacity to answer new threats and challenges regarding security such as terrorism, proliferation of mass destruction arms and regional instability: "We hope that the NATO input to security and stability will evolve in Bucharest. We should start serious discussion regarding a new strategic concept which will help the Alliance to maintain a firm organization able to approach the challenges regarding security". The President Basescu expressed his desire so that “NATO would reconfirm its commitment for the Western Balkans by maintaining its presence in Kosovo and by consolidating its partnerships with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia".
The Chief of State wishes that the historical reunion from Bucharest would reconfirm its strong commitment assumed by NATO in Afghanistan: "We also hope that the Summit will mark a renewed collaboration NATO – ONU and also the creation of stronger connections with partner countries such as, Australia, Japan, New Zeeland and Korea based on our common interest”.
Traian Basescu mentioned the necessity that at the Summit a message should be sent according to which it is shown that a strong and active NATO consolidates a strong Europe and vice-versa: "The further expansion of the partnership NATO - UE in Kosovo, Afghanistan and in the neighborhood will remain a priority for Romania and we also hope that this process will bring Turkey closer to Europe”.
Traian Basescu did not forget to underline Romania’s wish to record progresses regarding the development of a NATO anti-missile defense system complementary and integrated to the one developed in the USA and also the need for progresses regarding "the definition of NATO’s added value to the energy security".
"The Summit from Bucharest could constitute a bridge between NATO’s international agreements and the Euro-Atlantic ones, between our achievements from the past and the new tasks with the perspective of an anniversary NATO Summit from 2009 and also the summits which will follow. We have the opportunity to open debates and to start planning the steps towards a new strategic concept which will increase NATO capacities and missions in order to ensure stability within the Euro-Atlantic space and outside of it ", the President Basescu’s statement is closed.
Beside the statement of the Romanian President the electronic NATO magazine contains also an article of the Alliance General Secretary, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, entitled “Bucharest: a reference point in NATO changing ", the analyses of some experts such as a "photo-story" with the title "Bucharest: preparation of a Summit".
The last issue of the electronic NATO magazine entitled "Bucharest: the place where things start to come together?", is entirely dedicated to the Summit of the Northern-Atlantic Alliance in Bucharest. This can be accessed to the website: http://www.nato.int/docu/review/2008/03/EN/index.htm
(Source: Mediafax)
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