“There is an opinion that the issue decided by big states within the alliance is automatically adopted by small states. But this summit showed that a small or medium state can have a respected viewâ€, he said.
Traian Basescu noted that Greece dictated its will in connection with Macedonia’s admission to the alliance and it shows that relatively small states can say “no†to super states.
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“There are no significant factors separated Russia from Europe. May be there are some interests back to the past, but Russia, the US and Europe don’t desire such scenarioâ€, said Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Press-Conference followed the Russia-NATO Council meeting. Stressing the Russian ratification of the Conventional Weapons Treaty in Europe, Vladimir Putin said Russia was the only country to fulfill obligations undertaken on the reduction of armed forces. Putin emphasized the impossibility of the unilateral implementation of the international agreements and said he had held open and constructive negotiations with NATO officials. “We observed the definite limitations and it was not a ping pong game consisted of the mutual condemnationsâ€. The Russian President said NATO membership does not lead the country to the automatic democratization and the countries, which have not joined the alliance, are not the anti-democratic. “NATO has not confirmed its democratization role. We see NATO as a big partner. Russia is able to secure itself not depending on other organizations. We intend to strengthen our military capacity. Terrorism cannot be combated without Russian assistanceâ€. Vladimir Putin said US missile defense plans in Europe had been directed against Russia. Putin also said that he was impatiently waiting for the turnover of the presidential mandate to his successor.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin came to the Palace of the Parliament to attend the meeting of NATO-Russia Council held within the framework of the NATO’s Bucharest summit. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer making a keynote speech said Russia-NATO relations had never been so close.
“We will discuss common points and try to reach agreement on uncoordinated problemsâ€, he said.
The main topics of discussion are extension of NATO to the East, anti-missile shield, Kosovo’s independence and the decision of the US to sell arms to Kosovo.
The Russian President is expected to have bilateral meeting with his Romanian counterpart Traian Basescu after the meeting. Vladimir Putin is the first Russian President to visit Romania after the collapse of the communist regime.
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100 NATO protesters held protest actions in front of Medical University in the capital of Romania. There was not an incident during the actions, but Bucharest gendarmery announced that they would take administrative measures for illegal protest actions. Protesters held rallies in the factory in Timpuri Noi Settlement, where the police arrested 54 NATO protesters yesterday. Law-enforcement bodies did not impede protesters, because they had not violated public order. Bucharest police stated that the protesters had been released, but one of them was being interrogated. Anti-NATO materials have been confiscated from protesters.
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NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer addressing the meeting of NATO-Ukraine Commission stated that they had promised for the integration of Ukraine and Georgia into NATO.
“We take a new step for the NATO-Ukraine relations. NATO promises for further integration of Ukraine and Georgia into allianceâ€, he said.
To him, Ukraine makes considerable contributions to NATO’s activity and supports MAP.
“We will discuss the appeal of MAP at political level. Methinks, this is a clear signal for existence of cooperation and relations between NATO allies and we want to continue itâ€, he said.
The Secretary General added that Ukraine had achieved serious progress to coincide with NATO standards and the alliance would assist official Kiev in this field. Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko expressed his confidence for Ukraine’s invitation to MAP.
“NATO’s decision envisages recognition of need for Ukraine on the security of Europe. I consider that our participation will increase the European security. Ukraine persists to integrate into NATO and our integration into NATO is not against anybodyâ€, he said.
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Bucharest. Fakhri Karimli-APA. The last working day of NATO Bucharest summit has started. APA’s correspondent covering the summit reports that NATO-Ukraine Commission has held a meeting in the first half of the day. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer delivered a keynote speech at the meeting. President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko also made a speech.
NATO Secretary General and President of Ukraine will hold a press conference after the meeting.
It will be followed by the next meeting of NATO-Russia Council. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will also attend the meeting. Putin is also planned to have bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General. NATO Bucharest summit will end today.
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