In the context, he refered to the Iranian threat,saying that missiles from this country can reach NATO allies such as Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey.

Speaking to delegates at the annual Brussels Forum conference on security, Rasmussen stressed that the continent should not take its alliance with the United States for granted. "We have a strong responsibility to demonstrate a clear commitment politically as well as through investment in necessary capabilities," he said, referring to a gradual decline in European defense spending.

"We Europeans should not take this strong trans-Atlantic relationship for granted," he said. One way for Europe to show its commitment to the alliance, the secretary general said, would be to back a NATO-wide missile defense system advocated by US President Barack Obama.

NATO has identified the trend of a "real and growing" threat from weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, said Rasmussen. Iran, which Western governments suspect of trying to develop a nuclear arsenal, has said it has weapons that place NATO members Turkey, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria within range.

According to Rasmussen, some 30 nations already have advanced missile systems.  "In many cases, these missiles could eventually threaten our populations and territories," he said. The secretary general said NATO should work closely with Russia, which could also be vulnerable to missile attacks.

Bucharest Herald