[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 209 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.Con.Res.209
                                     Agreed to November 20, 2003        

                       One Hundred Eighth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
           the seventh day of January, two thousand and three


                          Concurrent Resolution

Whereas the United States has an enduring interest in the independence, 
  territorial integrity, and security of Albania, Croatia, and The 
  Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and supports their full 
  integration in the community of democratic Euro-Atlantic states;

Whereas Albania, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 
  have taken clear and positive steps to advance their integration into 
  Europe by establishing close cooperative relations among themselves 
  and with their neighbors, as well as their promotion of regional 
  cooperation;

Whereas Albania, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 
  have already contributed to European security and to the peace and 
  security of southeast Europe through the resolution of conflicts in 
  the region and their regional cooperation in the Southeast Europe 
  Defense Ministerial;

Whereas on May 2, 2003, the United States-Adriatic Charter was signed 
  in Tirana, Albania, by Secretary of State Colin Powell, Albania 
  Foreign Minister Ilir Meta, Croatia Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, 
  and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Foreign Minister Ilinka 
  Mitreva;

Whereas the Adriatic Charter affirms the commitment of Albania, 
  Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the values 
  and principles of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and 
  to joining the Alliance at the earliest possible time;

Whereas Secretary of State Powell stated that the Adriatic Charter 
  ``reaffirms our partners' dedication to work individually, with each 
  other, and with their neighbors to build a region of strong 
  democracies powered by free market economies * * * [i]t underscores 
  the importance we place on their eventual full integration into NATO 
  and other European institutions * * * [a]nd most importantly, the 
  Charter promises to strengthen the ties that bind the peoples of the 
  region to the United States, to one another, and to a common future 
  within the Euro-Atlantic family''; and

Whereas 75 special forces troops of Albania were sent to Iraq as part 
  of the coalition forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom, 29 special 
  forces troops of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia were sent 
  to Iraq as part of the postwar stabilization force, and Albania, 
  Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia all 
  contributed to the stabilization forces in Afghanistan, as signs of 
  their commitment to promote international freedom and security: Now, 
  therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
        (1) strongly supports the United States-Adriatic Charter and 
    commends Albania, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of 
    Macedonia for their continued efforts to become full-fledged 
    members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the 
    European Union;
        (2) urges NATO to invite Albania, Croatia, and The Former 
    Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to join NATO as soon as each of 
    these countries respectively demonstrates the ability to assume the 
    responsibilities of NATO membership through the Membership Action 
    Plan;
        (3) welcomes and supports the aspirations of Albania, Croatia, 
    and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to join the European 
    Union at the earliest opportunity;
        (4) recognizes that Albania, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav 
    Republic of Macedonia are making important strides to bring their 
    economic, military, and political institutions into conformance 
    with the standards of NATO and other Euro-Atlantic institutions; 
    and
        (5) commends Secretary of State Powell for his personal support 
    of the Adriatic Charter.
  Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.

  Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.