Albania, Croatia closer to NATO membership

NATO ambassadors have signed an accession protocol, allowing Albania and Croatia to move a step closer to membership. "Today Albania and Croatia have begun the final stage. I hope that if all goes right, and I’ll do my best to ensure it does, they'll be able to cross the finish line, the very end of their road at our summit in Strasbourg and Kehl," NATO Sec.-Gen. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said referring to the alliance’s next summit to be held in 2009 in the towns of Strasbourg and Kehl. Albania, Croatia closer to NATO membership The news was also welcomed by the Croatian and Albanian foreign ministers. "Membership in NATO means security not only for Croatia but also for south-eastern Europe," said Croatia's Gordan Jandrokovic. His Albanian counterpart was also upbeat, recognizing this as "a crowning moment and a milestone in our nation’s history." "This is the successful crowning of our reforms," added Lulzim Basha. After the ceremony, representatives of Albania and Croatia can now participate in all NATO member meetings, including the weekly North Atlantic Council meeting at the level of permanent representatives at NATO headquarters. However, representatives from Tirana and Zagreb will not yet be able to participate in decision-making nor have the right to talk during the meetings. Albania and Croatia received invitations for NATO full membership in April this year at the summit held in the Romanian capital, Bucharest. Macedonia was also set to receive an invitation but this was blocked by Greece because of the unresolved 'name' row. "I am slightly sad why the third minister (referring to Macedonia's foreign minister) is not next to me. But, people in Skopje should also think what this means. Good neighborly relations are important. There is new government in Skopje and let us hope that we will see flexibility," Scheffer said. Greece argues Skopje's use of the name 'Republic of Macedonia' implies its territorial ambitions on the Greek province of the same name and wants a resolution to the 17-year long row before Macedonia is admitted. The protocol has to be ratified by member states, in a procedure which can take approximately 18 months but NATO officials are hopeful this can be achieved by early next year, so Albania and Croatia can participate as fully fledged members of NATO at next year's summit.

Albania, Croatia closer to NATO membership

The news was also welcomed by the Croatian and Albanian foreign ministers.

"Membership in NATO means security not only for Croatia but also for south-eastern Europe," said Croatia's Gordan Jandrokovic.

His Albanian counterpart was also upbeat, recognizing this as "a crowning moment and a milestone in our nation’s history."

"This is the successful crowning of our reforms," added Lulzim Basha.

After the ceremony, representatives of Albania and Croatia can now participate in all NATO member meetings, including the weekly North Atlantic Council meeting at the level of permanent representatives at NATO headquarters.

However, representatives from Tirana and Zagreb will not yet be able to participate in decision-making nor have the right to talk during the meetings.

Albania and Croatia received invitations for NATO full membership in April this year at the summit held in the Romanian capital, Bucharest.

Macedonia was also set to receive an invitation but this was blocked by Greece because of the unresolved 'name' row.

"I am slightly sad why the third minister (referring to Macedonia's foreign minister) is not next to me. But, people in Skopje should also think what this means. Good neighborly relations are important. There is new government in Skopje and let us hope that we will see flexibility," Scheffer said.

Greece argues Skopje's use of the name 'Republic of Macedonia' implies its territorial ambitions on the Greek province of the same name and wants a resolution to the 17-year long row before Macedonia is admitted.

The protocol has to be ratified by member states, in a procedure which can take approximately 18 months but NATO officials are hopeful this can be achieved by early next year, so Albania and Croatia can participate as fully fledged members of NATO at next year's summit.