We are convinced that at this historic moment, when the new system of the European security is being formed, the NATO accession of countries from Southeastern Europe will contribute to maintaining the stability and security on the continent, reads a joint declaration of the Foreign Ministers of Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey, which was adopted at their meeting in Athens March 29. The discussions of Bulgarian Foreign Minister Passy and his counterparts – Greek Minister Georgios Papandreou, Romania’s Mircea Dan Geoana and Turkey’s Ismail Cem - were on cooperation in assisting Bulgaria and Romania’s preparation for NATO entry. They come before the NATO Prague summit, where the two countries expect to receive invitations from the Alliance. In the declaration the ministers state that the Alliance must look for balanced geographical expansion. The foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey, as representatives of NATO member countries, voiced their support for the legitimate claim of Bulgaria and Romania to become full members of NATO. They also underlined their appreciation of the two countries’ significant contribution during the peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Kosovo, in all regional security initiatives and their participation in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The four countries welcomed Hungary’s commitment to support NATO southern expansion as well as Budapest’s joining the declaration of the foreign ministers of Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey.