NATO to reassure Russia's nervous neighbors

STORY: European leaders worry that countries on the continent's southern and eastern fringes will lose patience waiting for membership of the European Union and NATO, leaving them open to Russian and Chinese efforts to gain influence, and vulnerable to instability.

"The stability in western Balkans is important for peace," Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani said.

Bosnian Foreign Minister Bisera Turkovic, invited to join the NATO meeting, said she was concerned about Russia's intentions for her country.