Bush urges NATO to accept Georgia, Ukraine

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-03-2008 09:11

NATO's upcoming three-day summit will focus on its membership. The US wants to set Ukraine and Georgia on track for NATO membership. But France and Germany have indicated they will block the expansion plan.

George W.Bush said NATO should welcome Georgia and  Ukraine into the Membership Action Plan, or MAP,  which would prepare them to join the alliance over the next five-to-ten years.(CCTV.com)

Ahead of the NATO summit, Bush said NATO should welcome Georgia and Ukraine into the Membership Action Plan, or MAP, which would prepare them to join the alliance over the next five-to-ten years.

George W. Bush, US President, said, "Romania and the US agree that our alliance must continue to remain open to new members that share our values, and make tough choices to reform countries who are willing to address our security needs jointly."

Some western European countries, such as Germany, France and Italy, are reluctant to grant MAP invitations to the two countries at the summit for fear of angering Russia.

France says it will oppose giving Georgia and Ukraine a roadmap to joining NATO to avoid upsetting the balance of power with Russia. Germany also shares this view.

In his 20-minute speech, Bush invited Russia to cooperate in the deployment of anti-missile defense capabilities. He said the defense plan is not aimed at Russia.

George W. Bush, US President, said, "I am going to meet with President Putin to make it clear to him that the Cold War is over, and that Russia is not our enemy."

The US president also expressed his intention to ask for more defense spending from his European allies.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei