[…] They affirmed that the NRC was conceived as a strategic element in fostering Euro-Atlantic security, proceeding from the principle that the security of all states in the Euro-Atlantic community, to which they belong, remains indivisible. Our partnership has already had a good history of over a decade. During that time, NRC member states have developed a political dialogue on a broad range of international security issues and concrete projects where they have common goals and interests.

[…] “It’s basically to facilitate the operations,” explained a senior U.S. administration official April 4, “and is evidence of Russia stepping up and doing more to help the effort in Afghanistan, and that's a good thing.” The land corridor supports a U.N. Security Council resolution that calls on Afghanistan's neighboring nations to provide overflight clearances and transit clearances to assist the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.

[…] NATO leaders say that Ukraine's request to join the security alliance will be reconsidered at the December NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels. In a post-meeting communiqué of the NATO-Ukraine Commission April 4, the commission said it "agreed that Ukraine will become a member of NATO." President Bush had announced April 1 during a visit to the Ukrainian capital.

[…] The 26-nation NATO security alliance has pledged to provide a shared, long-term commitment to the security and economic prosperity of Afghanistan.
"In helping the Afghan people build security today, we are defending our basic values we all share," an alliance communiqué says. At the same time, France announced plans to send an additional battalion of troops to Afghanistan. Separately, Canada announced that it intends to keeps its current level of forces in Afghanistan.

[…] Leaders from NATO’s 26 member states unanimously welcomed Albania and Croatia into the trans-Atlantic alliance, a move that President Bush says will further the cause of freedom and security in Europe. “Both these nations have demonstrated the ability and the willingness to provide strong and enduring contributions to NATO,” Bush said. “Albania and Croatia are ready for the responsibility NATO brings, and they will make outstanding members of this alliance.”

[…] Today, we have decided to invite Albania and Croatia to begin accession talks to join our Alliance. We congratulate these countries on this historic achievement, earned through years of hard work and a demonstrated commitment to our common security and NATO’s shared values. The accession of these new members will strengthen security for all in the Euro Atlantic area, and bring us closer to our goal of a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace.

[…] Since the end of the Cold War, the trans-Atlantic alliance has built new partnerships with former rivals, Bush said, welcoming many of them, such as summit host Romania, as new members. “The Romanian people have seen evil in their midst and they have seen evil defeated. They value freedom because they have lived without it,” Bush said. “This hard experience has inspired them to fight and sacrifice for the liberty of others.”

[…] NATO was founded at the outset of the Cold War, but since 1991 has nearly doubled in size from 16 to 26 member states. Three U.S. presidents –- George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush -– have been committed to a vision of Europe that is whole, free and at peace, says Daniel Fried, acting under secretary of state for political affairs, and the NATO membership process has been an important catalyst in reaching this goal.

[…] Thank you all. Thank you, and good morning. I appreciate former Presidents Iliescu and Constantinescu for joining us today.
I want to thank the President of Latvia and Mrs. Zatlere for joining us. Secretary Rice, ambassadors, members of the United States Congress, the President of the National Bank of Savings, members of the German Marshall Fund and the Atlantic Council, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen -- Bun. Ziua