H. Con. Res. 209
Agreed to November 20, 2003
One Hundred Eighth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the seventh day of January, two thousand and three
Concurrent Resolution
Whereas the United States has an enduring interest in the
independence, territorial integrity, and security of Albania, Cro-
atia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and sup-
ports 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 resolu-
tion 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 Organiza-
tion (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 under-
scores 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 Afghani-
stan, as signs of their commitment to promote international
freedom and security: Now, therefore, be it
H. Con. Res. 209—2
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concur-
ring), 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
assume the responsibilities of NATO membership through the
Membership Action Plan;
(3) welcomes and supports the aspirations of Albania, Cro-
atia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to join
the European Union at the earliest opportunity;
(4) recognizes that Albania, Croatia, and The Former Yugo-
slav 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.
Attest:
Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Attest:
Secretary of the Senate.