[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.