"At the Bucharest Summit, the Alliance intends to extend further invitations to those countries who meet NATO"s performance-based standards, share our values, and are able to contribute to Euro-Atlantic security and stability," according to a statement issued in Brussels on Friday after a two-day meeting of NATO defence ministers.
"We welcome the reform efforts undertaken by Albania, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as well as their contribution to NATO-led operations and encourage them to make further progress as outlined in our most recent assessment of MAP (Membership Action Plan)," the statement added.
"The Alliance will keep progress made by these countries under close and intensive scrutiny," statement stressed.
NATO ministers welcomed Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia in joining the Partnership for Peace programme as the first step towards membership, and urged them to exploit the possibilities offered by the programme in implementing their defence reforms.
NATO also welcomed the formation of a new government in Belgrade, "which we expect will consolidate democratic values and work to bring Serbia closer to Euro-Atlantic structures."
"We will also continue to closely monitor efforts, notably by Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, to cooperate fully with the ICTY (the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague)," the ministers said.
NATO considers Euro-Atlantic integration crucial for long-term stability in the Western Balkans.
"Lasting peace and stability in Kosovo and the region remain of the utmost importance for the Alliance. NATO will not tolerate any threats to a safe and secure environment in Kosovo and will react swiftly and resolutely to any provocations. We continue to support the Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement presented by President Ahtisaari. We further support the timely adoption of a corresponding United Nations Security Council Resolution that supports its provisions and calls for its full implementation," the statement said.
The Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, consisting of members of NATO and the Partnership for Peace, also met as part of the two-day conference. The Croatian delegation was led by Defence Minister Berislav Roncevic.