USA: WASHINGTON: ROMANIAN PRESIDENT CONSTANTINESCU VISIT

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• published: 21 Jul 2015
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English/Nat Romania's president is urging the U-S Congress to support his nation's bid for NATO membership. President Emil Constantinescu told a joint session of Congress that Romania doesn't want to be a burden but a trusted ally. Constantinescu is on a nine-day visit to the United States. He's trying to convince the U-S that Romania should be among those nations included in a second wave of NATO expansion. Romania's president is appealing to the U-S Congress for helping in opening NATO's door to Romania in a second wave of expansion. Emil Constantinescu received a warm welcome on Capitol Hill when he came to address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday. The Romanian leader wasted no time in seeking support for NATO membership. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I think that all those who believe in freedom ought to have the means to defend their beliefs together. Romania was the first country to join the United States in its Partnership for Peace, and my fellow citizens have now invested their hopes in one day joining an expanding NATO." SUPER CAPTION: Emil Constantinescu, Romanian President In the first wave of NATO expansion, Poland the Czech Republic, and Hungary were invited to join the military alliance. Last year, NATO told Romania it needed to develop its economy and democracy before it could be in the running. Constantinescu acknowledged that it has been difficult to rebuild Romania's economy, but insisted that the nation could be an anchor for southeastern Europe. SOUNDBITE: (English) "In order to build a fully prosperous, democratic, and stable Europe, one that stretches from the Atlantic to the Urals and beyond, the United States needs to anchor its policies to countries on Europe's southeastern flank that share its democratic ideals and its commitment to the region's stability. Romania is such a country." SUPER CAPTION: Emil Constantinescu, Romanian President Some members of Congress strongly oppose further expansion of NATO. They complain about potential hidden costs, and worry it will isolate Russia and lead to more entangling military commitments But Constantinescu sought to reassure Congress, and said the present time is as crucial to the future of Europe as the years after World War II. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Your country undertook with a great wisdom and vision the responsibility of world balance and world peace. We urge you to do so again. Romania does not seek to add to this historic burden, but to share it, modestly, yet reliably, as a trusted ally and friend." SUPER CAPTION: Emil Constantinescu, Romanian President On Thursday, Constantinescu is scheduled to have a 30 minute private meeting with President Bill Clinton in the Oval Office. It will be the first official visit by a Romanian president to the White House since 1978 when former dictator Nicolai Ceausescu met Richard Nixon. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/a72e18ec4907da46a7c23739e94be260 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork