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Bush urging Nato expansion east Bush urging Nato expansion east
(about 1 hour later)
US President George Bush has repeated his call for Nato to expand eastwards and highlighted the countries he wants to welcome into the alliance. US President George W Bush has repeated his call for Nato to expand eastwards and highlighted the countries he wants to welcome into the alliance.
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.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."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 by Nato members France and Germany. The prospect of more ex-Soviet states joining Nato is opposed by Russia, while Nato members France and Germany have warned that it will worsen relations with Moscow.
German defence minister Franz Josef Jung said on Wednesday that Berlin did not oppose Nato membership for Ukraine and Georgia, but added: "It will still take some more time to create the exact conditions for Georgia and Ukraine to be able to contribute to guaranteeing security."
Mr Bush spoke at the Black Sea resort of Neptun on Wednesday, 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.
Heart-to-heartHeart-to-heart
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.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.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 most important 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.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".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."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.""I call it an opportunity to sit down and have a good frank discussion again."