    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    UNITED STATES-ADRIATIC CHARTER--SUPPORT
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    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

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    117 STAT. 2965

    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.

    Agreed to November 20, 2003.