108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 209 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Whereas the United States has an enduring interest in the 
independence, territorial integrity, and security of Alba-
nia, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Mac-
edonia and supports their full integration in the commu-
nity of democratic Euro-Atlantic states; 
Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have taken clear 
and positive steps to advance their integration into Eu-
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•HCON 209 EH 
rope by establishing close cooperative relations among 
themselves and with their neighbors, as well as their pro-
motion of regional cooperation; 
Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have already con-
tributed to European security and to the peace and secu-
rity of southeast Europe through the resolution of con-
flicts 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, Cro-
atian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, and Macedonian 
Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva; 
Whereas the Adriatic Charter affirms the commitment of Al-
bania, Croatia, and Macedonia to the values and prin-
ciples 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 indi-
vidually, 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 an-
other, and to a common future within the Euro-Atlantic 
family’’; and 
Whereas 75 Albanian special forces troops were sent to Iraq 
as part of the coalition forces during Operation Iraqi 
Freedom, 29 Macedonian special forces troops were sent 
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•HCON 209 EH 
to Iraq as part of the postwar stabilization force, and Al-
bania, Croatia, and Macedonia all contributed to the sta-
bilization forces in Afghanistan, as signs of their commit-
ment 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 Mac-
edonia for their continued efforts to become full- 
fledged members of the North Atlantic Treaty Orga-
nization (NATO) and the European Union; 
(2) urges NATO to invite Albania, Croatia, and 
Macedonia to join NATO as soon as each of these 
countries respectively demonstrates the ability to as-
sume the responsibilities of NATO membership 
through the Membership Action Plan; 
(3) welcomes and supports the aspirations of 
Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to join the Euro-
pean Union at the earliest opportunity; 
(4) recognizes that Albania, Croatia, and Mac-
edonia 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 
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(5) commends Secretary of State Powell for his 
personal support of the Adriatic Charter. 
Passed the House of Representatives June 23, 2003. 
Attest: 
Clerk. 
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