III 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 209
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
JUNE 24, 2003
Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Commending the signing of the United States-Adriatic Char-
ter, a charter of partnership among the United States, 
Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia.
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
HCON 209 RFS 
Europe 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
HCON 209 RFS 
Freedom, 29 Macedonian special forces troops were sent 
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
HCON 209 RFS 
(5) commends Secretary of State Powell for his 
personal support of the Adriatic Charter.
Passed the House of Representatives June 23, 2003. 
Attest: 
JEFF TRANDAHL, 
Clerk.