The Associated Press

Romania's prime minister said Friday his country's commitment in the fight against terrorism has enhanced its chances of becoming a NATO member later this year.

Adrian Nastase, speaking ahead of a two-day meeting of leaders of East European countries who are seeking to join NATO, said he was confident Romania and neighboring Bulgaria had plenty to offer the military alliance.

"We will accentuate the importance of having a southern dimension to the enlargement process, and the contribution by southeastern European countries in the fight against terrorism and unconventional threats to security," Nastase said.


Both Bulgaria and Romania were quick to support the United States in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. They are among seven countries which hope to secure an invitation at a summit on NATO enlargement to be held in Prague, Czech Republic, in November.

The pre-NATO meeting, dubbed "The Spring of New Allies" summit, will begin Monday.

Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania and Bulgaria are regarded as possible new members, although several of those countries have lesser chances due to lagging economic and political reform.

In 1999, formerly communist Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary were invited to join NATO- the first former Soviet Bloc countries to do so.
Nastase noted that Romania needs to continue reforms, reduce double-digit inflation, modernize its army and continue to sell off state companies.

"Preparing for NATO is nothing different to what we are already doing, for the younger and not-so-young generation and for the future of the country," he told reporters.

NATO has made no decisions yet on which, if any, countries it will admit in November.

Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, the prime ministers of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Macedonia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Albania, Macedonia, Turkey, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Slovenia will attend the Bucharest meeting.

Deputy U.S. Secretary of State Richard Armitage will be the top American official present, accompanied by government ministers from the Netherlands, Hungary and Turkey.

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