NATO Expresses Concern About Slovenia

NATO spokesperson James Appathurai said the members were concerned about Slovenia and ratifying Croatia`s accession.

NATO is concerned about the problems in Slovenia concerning the ratification of Croatia`s NATO accession protocol, but is hopeful that all membering countries would fulfil their obligation taken on in Bucharest, said NATO spokesperson James Appathurai on Tuesday.

When asked to comment on the latest developments concerning the ratification of Croatia`s NATO accession protocol in the Slovenian Parliament, Appathurai said he cannot deny concern about what is happening in Slovenia, but hopefully, the politicians will reach an agreement so that the decision taken on in Bucharest can be fulfilled in time.

All 26 members have forwarded membership invitations to Croatia and Albania at the Bucharest summit in April 2008, committing to ratify accession protocols so that the two countries can participate in the upcoming NATO summits in Strasbourg and Kehl as full members.

End of ratification processes at the end of week?

Appathurai said that this was an interior process of Slovenia`s, one which NATO could not interfere with. So far, 23 countries ratified the accession protocols, while the spokesperson hopes that the end of the ratification process will be at the end of this week-

- Hopefully Slovenia will not be the only country unable to complete ratification in time - NATO spokesperson James Appathurai said.