On March 25-26, 2002,  Bucharest, the capital of Romania  will  host  the Summit of the Vilnius  Group  countries.  The  event represents an  important  moment  of  evaluation and  assessment of the  ten Vilnius group  countries in  their efforts  to  join NATO. It is also a moment  of  celebrating  common  values, discussing  common threats  and expanding  security cooperation in Europe. The founding  principle  of  the  V10 Group is that of  promoting the spirit of  solidarity among  its  members,  mutual  support and the  Enhancement of European  security  and  stability  on  the  entire  continent.

The Summit will be honored by the presence of Prime Ministers from the ten candidate countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, FYROM, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia), leaders from NATO countries that offer strong support to the enlargement process including President Kwasniewski of Poland and Prime Ministers Simitis of Greece and Zeman of Czech Republic, as well as other high-ranking officials from European and non-European countries. A strong political statement is expected to be  endorsed by those attending the Summit, on behalf of both member and candidate countries concerning security in the Euro-Atlantic area.

The Bucharest V10 Summit aims to reiterate the need for stability from the Baltic to the Black Sea and to advocate for a geographically balanced enlargement of the Alliance. As we approach the Prague NATO  Summit, our goal is two-fold: to prevent the deepening of discrepancies in security and stability levels between the two halves of Europe; and to respond effectively as partners to the new threats facing us all. Inviting new European democracies to join NATO will further consolidate stability and democracy in Central and Eastern Europe.  It will finally erase the Cold War division and complete a new Europe. There is no better insurance against terrorism and unconventional threats than enlarging NATO by inviting
stable, multi-ethnic, rule of law-based societies and bridge that bind North America and Europe.

After the legacies of communism, our national identity – our European identity - is defined by an  unwavering commitment to pluralistic democracy, free markets, respect for human rights and the rule of law, good relations with our neighbors and complete dedication to EU and NATO integration.
With their mixed religious and ethnic populations, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are a bridge between the West and the East. We believe that the democracies of Southeastern Europe will continue to make significant contributions to European security as each of us has a unique role to play in fostering stability, security and freedom in a United Europe.

September 11th opened a new chapter in our history.  We have completed the cycle of transition from an era of confrontation to solidarity, from the Cold War to the International Coalition. That security is  indivisible, nowadays, it is more obvious than ever. Today, fundamental to the building of a new global solidarity is the vision of a united Europe. Europe has a tremendous chance to spread com-monality, in democracy, economic and political terms, among European states. I believe that Euro-Atlantic integration is and will continue to be the cornerstone of our current and future stability.

As a partner country we have always fulfilled our duty and assisted NATO  with all our might whenever  and wherever necessity called. This is our commitment to the shared values of the European and Atlantic community.

It is in this spirit that we have made all efforts to see the Bucharest V10 Summit become a cooperative success. Romania is honored and proud to host this prestigious and significant event, the Summit of the Vilnius Group countries.

Join us in Bucharest to celebrate the spring of new allies! We are looking forward to welcoming you!

Adrian Nastase
Prime Minister of Romania