    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [October 24, 2008]
    [Pages 1339-1340]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Signing Ceremony for North Atlantic Treaty Organization
    Accession Protocols for Albania and Croatia
    October 24, 2008

        President Bush.  Welcome. Please be seated. Mr. Secretary
    General, it's good
    to have you here in the White House.
        Secretary General Jakob Gijsbert ``Jaap'' de Hoop Scheffer of the North Atlantic
    Treaty Organization. Thank you, Mr. President.
        President Bush. Thank you for your steadfast leadership and your
    courage. Ambassadors, thank you for joining us. The Ambassador of
    Croatia and Albania are here for a special reason. Congressman Engel, I think he's here--[laughter]--right in front
    of us. Congressman, we are so honored you have taken time to be here.
    Deputy Secretary England; Chairman of the
    Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mullen,
    thank you for coming. Ambassadors, members of the administration,
    members of the diplomatic corps, friends of freedom: Welcome, we are
    glad you're here. This is a special moment in the hopeful story of human
    liberty, as America formally declares its support for Albania and
    Croatia's entry into NATO.
        With today's ceremony, we celebrate two young and vigorous
    democracies seeking to assume new responsibilities in a time of
    terrorism and a time of war. We strengthen America's partnership with
    nations that once found themselves in the shackles of communism. We
    rejoice in taking a major step toward welcoming the people of Albania
    and Croatia into the greatest alliance for freedom the world has ever
    known.
        The United States is proud to have supported the NATO aspirations of
    these nations from the beginning. Laura and I fondly remember our visits
    to Tirana and Zagreb, where we met people who are showing the world the
    potential and the promise of human freedom. The citizens of Albania and
    Croatia have overcome war and hardship, built peaceful relations with
    their neighbors, and helped other young democracies build and strengthen
    free societies. And the people of Albania and Croatia are helping move
    the world closer to a great triumph of history: a Europe that is whole,
    a Europe that is free, and a Europe that is at peace.
        The invitation to join NATO is recognition of the difficult reforms
    these countries have undertaken on the path to prosperity and peace. In
    return, NATO membership offers the promise of security and stability.
    The United States and our NATO allies will stand united in defense of
    our fellow members. Once Albania and Croatia formally join NATO, their
    people can know: If any nation threatens their security, every member of
    our alliance will be at their side.
        The road of reform does not end with acceptance into NATO. Every
    member of the alliance has a responsibility to enhance, promote, and
    defend the cause of democracy. I'm confident that Albania and Croatia
    will deliver on their commitments to strengthen their democratic
    institutions and free market systems.
        Albania and Croatia's entry into NATO is an historic step for the
    Balkans. In the space of a single decade, this region has transformed
    itself from a land consumed by war to a contributor to international
    peace and stability. America looks forward to the day when the ranks of
    NATO include all the nations in the Balkans, including Macedonia. I
    thank Macedonia's Ambassador for joining us
    today. We're proud of the steps you're taking to strengthen your
    democracy. The great NATO alliance is holding a place for you at our
    table. And we look forward to your admission as a full NATO member as
    soon as possible.

    [[Page 1340]]

        Our nations seek a path to NATO--other nations seek a path to NATO
    membership, and they have the full support of the United States
    Government. Today I reiterate America's commitment to the NATO
    aspirations of Ukraine, Georgia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Montenegro. The
    door to NATO membership also remains open to the people of Serbia,
    should they choose that path. All these nations treasure the blessings
    of liberty because they remember the pain of tyranny. They share NATO's
    solemn commitment to defend the free against the unfree and the weak
    against the strong.
        The lasting strength of the NATO alliance is a testament to the
    enduring power of freedom. And the expansion of this alliance will lead
    the way to a safer and more hopeful world. On behalf of my fellow
    citizens, I offer congratulations to the people of Albania and Croatia
    on this historic achievement. May your children always honor the
    struggles you endured. May the stories of Albania and Croatia be a light
    to those who remain in the darkness of tyranny. And may your example
    help guide them to a brighter day.
        It's now my honor to welcome the Secretary General to the podium. Mr. Secretary General.

    Note: The President spoke at 6:10 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Croatia's Ambassador to the U.S.
    Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic; Albania's Ambassador to the U.S. Aleksander
    Sallabanda; and Macedonia's Ambassador to the U.S. Zoran Jolevski. The
    transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also included
    the remarks of Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer.