BUCHAREST - President Jacques Chirac pledged France would fully support Romania's application to join NATO and the EU as he began a two-day trip to Romania yesterday.
In an address to the Romanian parliament, Mr Chirac, the first foreign head of state to visit officially since President Emil Constantinescu's election in November - promised Romania that it would be given a place at the heart of Europe
Referring to the EU, he said. "France's position is clear. All the countries which are candidates must be placed on an equal footing to increase their contribution."