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New
democracies and Euro-Atlantic security
A Summit on the Contribution of New Democracies to Euro-Atlantic
Security was held in the Bulgarian capital Sofia from 4
to 5 October. Representatives from the "Vilnius Group"
discussed new threats to global security following the terrorist
attacks against the United States. The Vilnius Group includes
Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia (1) - all of
which are actively seeking membership of NATO, except for
Croatia.
Lord Robertson gave the opening speech at the Summit
in which he stressed that "the terrorist attacks
have neither derailed the enlargement process, nor slammed
NATO's door shut". He added nonetheless that
"aspirant countries must meet NATO's political
and military standards before they can join the Alliance".
While he was in Sofia, Lord Robertson also met with the
President of Bulgaria, Peter Stoyanov, Prime Minister
Simeon of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, as well as with the Heads
of State of the Vilnius Group.
Additional
information:
- Speech
by NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson, at the Summit
on the Contribution of New Democracies to Euro-Atlantic
Security in Sofia, Bulgary - 5 October 2001
-
Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its
constitutional name.
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