The expected EU entry of formerly communist countries like Bulgaria and Romania was also going to aid them further their involvement in trans-Atlantic policies, Associated Press reported.

On September 26 the European Commission confirmed January 1 2007 as the EU entry date for the two East European countries.

Since the end of the communist regime in Bulgaria and Romania both have adopted pro-American policies, AP reported.

"We can expect in the short term that the European Union will be much closer to the United States than it used to be because of this eastern influence," Romanian political scientist Sever Voinescu said as quoted by AP.

At the same time pro-US policies in such countries were subjected to public disapproval. Most of the concern resulted from the sending of troops to countries like Iraq.

AP said that countries like Romania and Bulgaria were striving for EU membership but saw the US as “the ultimate protector of freedom and democracy.”