Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/2983

 117 STAT. 2964 Nov. 20, 2003 [H. Con. Res. 209]

CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS—NOV. 20, 2003

UNITED STATES-ADRIATIC CHARTER—SUPPORT 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 EuroAtlantic 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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