1.   Aspiring member countries in Eastern Europe have tended to make considerably lower estimates, arguing that they will have to upgrade their militaries anyway.

2.   After special pleading by France, Romania was singled out in the communique, along with Slovenia, as aspiring members that have made progress in reforms.

3.   In practice, the aspiring members will have to adopt a panoply of detailed laws governing trade, social issues and democratic institutions.

4.   In general, NATO officials and aspiring members have stressed the savings to be gained by shared security in an alliance.

5.   Michal said delays worry aspiring East European members that want to see the EU be as flexible as possible.

6.   One of the five main conditions for joining European economic and monetary union, or EMU, is for aspiring members to have stable exchange rates.

7.   One standard set down by NATO last year for aspiring members was a functioning free-market economy, alongside a democratic political system.

8.   The overhaul has to take place before new members are admitted, so the talks will be closely watched by aspiring members such as Poland and the Czech Republic.

9.   Ankara says it wants the same status as Bulgaria or Slovakia, the second tier of aspiring members.

10.   Ankara says it wants the same status as Bulgaria or Slovakia, the second tier of aspiring members, instead.