The most important decision NATO leaders made during the Bucharest summit this week was the one agreeing on a missile shield that adds to the US defense system, Romania President Traian Basescu said at a forum of Young Atlanticists in the Romanian capital on Friday. NATO is now an alliance that works in the interests of its citizens, he said, speaking of the role NATO has in the 21st century.

After attending the NATO-Russia Council on Friday morning, the Romanian President had a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Key points of Basescu's speech before the Young Atlanticists Forum:

  • NATO did not give in to populist pressure and unanimously decided to deploy a missile shield that extends the protection of the one put up by the US in Europe for the whole territory covered by the Alliance
  • Western Europe countries agreed with the NATO enlargement
  • Georgia and Ukraine may receive a Membership Action Plan by December this year