Turkey, Greece, Romania And Bulgaria Issue Joint Statement Calling For Membership Of Bulgaria And Romania To Nato

BELEK (A.A) - 13.04.2002 - The Presidents of North Atlantic Council from Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria and Romania issued a joint statement on Saturday calling support for membership of Bulgaria and Romania to NATO.
The ''12th International Antalya Security and Cooperation Conference'' continues in Belek hamlet of Serik town of southern Antalya province.
The Turkish Atlantic Association President Haluk Bayulken, Greek Atlantic Council President Georgiou Theodossis, Romanian Atlantic Council President Sorin Encustescu and Bulgarian Atlantic Council President Augustine Tzvetnova signed the joint statement.
The statement noted that the Foreign Ministries of Turkey and Greece support the NATO membership of Romania and Bulgaria, adding that the Atlantic Council Presidents of four countries decided to coordinate their activities to contribute to this initiative.
Noting that there is wide public support for the Atlantic values in Bulgaria and Romania, the joint statement noted that the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to NATO will have substantial contribution to the security and stability of the region of Southeastern Europe and for the wider Euro-Atlantic area.
The statement noted that Bulgaria and Romania contributed to NATO operations as SFOR, KFOR and as well as they supported the ISAF and operation Enduring Freedom. The statement declared their support for the joint efforts of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Turkey in promoting peace and stability in the region and contributing to the struggle against terrorism. It also extended support to the initiative of Greece and Turkey to advance the candidacy of their neighbouring countries Bulgaria and Romania to join the Alliance at the Prague Summit.
Upon questions of journalists following the signing of the joint statement, Georgiou Theodossis, the Chairman of Greek Atlantic Council told reporters that Greek Foreign Minister George Papndreou and Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem were ''two wise men'' and he praised the studies of both of them.
Noting that the visit of Cem and Papandreou to Middle East to end the clashes between Israel and Palestine is the evidence of good relations between Turkey and Greece, Theodossis said that he fully shares the view of Ismail Cem about the admission of Bulgaria and Romania to NATO.
''We support the admission of Bulgaria and Romania to NATO not because they are our neighbours and friends, but as we believe that these two countries can contribute to regional security, and to peace and stability in Europe and Atlantic region,'' Theodossis said. He added that he wants to see both countries as members of NATO during the conference to be held in Antalya next year.
Bulgarian Atlantic Council President Augustine Tzvetnova said in his part that they represented the civilian society, thanking the Turkish and Greek Atlantic Council Presidents for their support. Noting that Bulgaria and Romania act as if they were NATO members for a certain period of time, Tzvetnova said that they would always support the common efforts of NATO.
Romanian Atlantic Council President Sorin Encustescu said that both Romania and Bulgaria were aware of the NATO's responsibilities, adding that they were ready to contribute to the Northern Alliance and that they would fulfil their responsibilities following the Prague summit to strengthen the regional security atmosphere.