Turnšek: Slovenia's Chances to Enter NATO in the First Round Are 50-50

Ljubljana, 14 March - DEFENCE/MINISTER/TURNŠEK/INTERVIEW
In an interview for STA, Slovene Defence Minister Tit Turnšek stressed that the efforts to enter NATO are the priority task not only of defence ministry but of the entire government. Defence Minister Turnšek estimated Slovenia's chances to enter the alliance in the first wave of enlargement are "50-50". If NATO decides not to invite Slovenia in the alliance at the summit in Madrid scheduled for July, "this would not be tragic". Sooner or later Slovenia will be invited in, Turnšek said, expressing belief that the second round of enlargement could follow as early as a year later.