NATO Says Missile Defense Is Of Utmost Importance

He said NATO countries face growing threats from Iran, as well as other countries, that have developed missiles capable of hitting Europe. He said it is essential for NATO to be able to insure the protection of its allies’ territories amid missile threats and nuclear aspirations.

He reminded the United States and some of NATO’s European allies already have antimissile systems to protect their troops.

„That’s a good thing, but the question is why not protect all people,” Rasmussen said, adding this is technically and militarily achievable and economically viable.

„NATO is already building a missile defense system to protect our armed forces, when they go out on mission. The cost of expanding that system to cover not only our soldiers, but also our populations… is less than EUR200 million, over ten years, spread among the 28 NATO countries,” he said.

The NATO secretary general, who is on a two-day official visit to Bucharest, also said Europe needs to contribute to its own defense and said he is confident the Alliance will decide at the Lisbon summit in November that antimissile defense is essential and a priority.

In his turn, Romania’s foreign minister said Romania is determined to remain a staunch, predictable, responsible and transparent NATO ally and hails the Alliance’s goal to make missile defense a mission for the entire organization.

Romania also hailed the Alliance’s plan to keep an open doors policy toward the Balkans and the organization’s decision to grant Membership Action Plan (MAP) to Bosnia-Herzegovina.