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Bush urging Nato expansion east Bush urging Nato expansion east
(40 minutes later)
US President George Bush has repeated his calls for Nato to expand eastwards and highlighted the countries he wants to welcome into the alliance. US President George Bush has repeated his call for Nato to expand eastwards and highlighted the countries he wants to welcome into the alliance.
Speaking ahead of Nato's key summit in Bucharest, Mr Bush said the former Soviet states of Ukraine and Georgia should be offered membership plans. Speaking in Romania ahead of Nato's summit in Bucharest, he said the former Soviet states of Ukraine and Georgia should be offered paths to membership.
"We must make clear that Nato welcomes the aspirations of Georgia and Ukraine for membership in Nato," said Mr Bush.
He also urged Nato allies to send more troops to Afghanistan.He also urged Nato allies to send more troops to Afghanistan.
The prospect of more ex-Soviet states joining Nato is opposed by Russia as well as members France and Germany. The prospect of more ex-Soviet states joining Nato is opposed by Russia, as well as by Nato members France and Germany.
Mr Bush spoke at the Black Sea resort of Neptun, where he met Romania's President Traian Basescu. Mr Bush spoke at the Black Sea resort of Neptun on Wednesday, where he met Romania's President Traian Basescu.
In a joint press conference, Mr Bush said he "strongly believed" Croatia, Albania and Macedonia should be able to join Nato as full members.In a joint press conference, Mr Bush said he "strongly believed" Croatia, Albania and Macedonia should be able to join Nato as full members.
He added that Membership Action Plans should be extended to Ukraine and Georgia, while Montenegro and Bosnia-Hercegovina should be offered intensified dialogue and Serbia closer co-operation. Heart-to-heart
The three-day summit of leaders from the 26-nation alliance is due to start in the Romanian capital Bucharest later on Wednesday. He added that Membership Action Plans should be given to Ukraine and Georgia, while discussions with Montenegro and Bosnia-Hercegovina should be intensified, and Serbia should be offered closer co-operation.
The three-day summit of leaders from the 26-nation alliance is due to start in the Romanian capital Bucharest later.
It is being billed as the biggest in the alliance's 59-year history.It is being billed as the biggest in the alliance's 59-year history.
Nato enlargement and efforts to rally support for the Nato-led force in Afghanistan are the topics expected to dominate the agenda.Nato enlargement and efforts to rally support for the Nato-led force in Afghanistan are the topics expected to dominate the agenda.
Mr Bush also spoke of his forthcoming talks with outgoing Russian president Vladimir Putin - whom he will meet at the summit, and again at private talks in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi at the weekend.
The US leader said he would make clear to Mr Putin that "the Cold War is over and Russia is not our enemy".
"This is a good chance for me to sit down and have yet another heart-to-heart with him," he said.
"I call it an opportunity to sit down and have a good frank discussion again."