The first results of the many discussions from the Bucharest summit are beginning to show as the two former-Soviet republics Georgia and Ukraine do not find themselves in the waiting line and France offers additional assistance in Afghanistan.

President George W. Bush faced a tough audience yesterday, failing to convince summit members on the benefits of NATO expansion. It has been decided to keep Georgia and Ukraine on the prospect list and encourage them to continue their political and military reform plan, unfortunately for them, without an approximate date on future actions.

The German and French opposition was supported by Italy and Hungary, all states being concerned about provoking a crisis with Moscow, which has clearly stated its take on the matter. Members of the Western military alliance must agree unanimously on potential members.

"We are convinced that it is too early to grant both states the action plan status," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, according to the Associated Press.

In other discussions, accession talks with Albania and Croatia have been planned for the near future. Also, NATO members are working to overcome Greek objections to extend membership to Macedonia, the problem being that Greece has a northern province with the same name and Athens fears possible claims on its territory.

The call made yesterday morning by President Bush, for other European countries to join the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaida, was not overlooked by summit members as French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced that additional troops will be sent to Afghanistan in an effort to further calm things down.