Our common values will determine NATO's evolution in the future, said President Basescu in the opening of NATO Summit.
'We are responsible for the decisions we take and our common future depend on it,' said the head of state.
Basescu underlined that the democracy is a fundamental value defended and promoted by NATO.
'Our meeting here at the Parliament Palace comes to strengthen the fact that our peoples entrusted us with the protection of their security, stability and prosperity. We are responsible before them for the decisions we take and our common future depends on it. Our discussions last night focused on values and on the need for change. Our common values will determine Alliance's further evolution, concerning the enlargement, military operations or defence policy,' said Basescu.
He said that these values must be consolidated at this summit and relations with states sharing it must be developed.
'We must discuss how NATO can answer better to those contesting our values or to those who do not understand them. We addressed the issue of changes last night. In fact, we speak about NATO's continuous adapting power, the structure who succeeded to adapt itself to the post cold war reality. This conformation must happen at politic and operational level, not at principle level,' said Traian Basescu.
He reminded that more than 10 years ago NATO was wondering whether to get involved or not in operations outside its territory, and the answer can be found in the series of operation led by NATO after 1995.
Basescu said that NATO has recently wondered over extending its activity beyond its specific defence operations, and the answer is Afghanistan, where NATO is engaged in the global campaign against terrorism in a consistent manner.
'As time passes, we will have to answer new security challenges. It is important that we remain faithful to the fundamental principles that laid the foundation on the Alliance.Romania joined NATO and make serious efforts to enjoy these principles. We count on an Alliance in which nations observe these principle equally and with conviction. An Alliance in which European and North American partners reach an advantageous solution for all, beyond initial divergences. An Alliance offering Europeans a framework to express aspirations of international security,' said President Basescu.
The head of state expressed his conviction that this summit, through its decision taken, will mark the passing to a new stage in implementing the ambitious projects and initiatives that the Alliance launched, together with its partners from the Balkans and eastern neighbourhood.
'I am convinced that such as our agenda these days solves many of the issues discussed two years ago in Riga, in the same way the next summit will address the decisions adopted in Bucharset,' said Basescu.
(Source: Rompres)
