NATO’s W Balkans Decision Show It Is More Than A Military Alliance – Romanian President

He also said it is of no less importance that, in the conclusion of the summit, Georgia and Ukraine received guarantees they would some day be NATO members.

 

Basescu said the decision regarding the anti-missile defense shield was probably the most spectacular one in the summit.

 

The Romanian president said there certainly were doubts among members on the issue, but NATO did not give in to “populist pressures” and made its decision in accordance with the principle of inseparability of allies. He added that a defense shield complementary to the United States shield would guarantee security for Romania, southern Italy, Turkey Bulgaria, and, in the long run, of states such as Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania and Macedonia.

 

Basescu also mentioned the “unfortunate” situation of Macedonia saying the event proves that any state, large or small, has something to say within the Alliance.

 

“The Alliance’s internal mechanism showed that a state whose interests were threatened can say ‘no’,” Basescu said.

 

The Romanian president added the summit had a deep democratic tone. He reminded that NATO started out as a military alliance during the Cold War, and has grown into an alliance that can protect security interests.

 

Basescu thanked all participants and said he trusts they all had a good time in Romania.