[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 209 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 209

Commending the signing of the United States-Adriatic Charter, a charter 
     of partnership among the United States, Albania, Croatia, and 
                               Macedonia.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 5, 2003

Mr. Engel (for himself, Mr. Bereuter, Mr. Wexler, Mr. Kirk, Mrs. Kelly, 
   Mr. Faleomavaega, Mrs. Napolitano, and Mr. Shimkus) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Commending the signing of the United States-Adriatic Charter, a charter 
     of partnership among the United States, Albania, Croatia, and 
                               Macedonia.

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 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 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, Albanian Foreign Minister 
        Ilir Meta, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, and Macedonian 
        Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva;
Whereas the Adriatic Charter affirms the commitment of Albania, Croatia, and 
        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 commandos of the armed forces of the Republic of Albania were sent to 
        Iraq as part of the coalition forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom as a 
        sign of its 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 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 Macedonia to 
        join NATO as soon as these countries demonstrate the ability to 
        assume the responsibilities of NATO membership;
            (3) welcomes and supports the aspirations of Albania, 
        Croatia, and Macedonia to join the European Union at the 
        earliest opportunity;
            (4) recognizes that Albania, Croatia, and 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.
                                 <all>