"We welcome the efforts of Croatia, Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to prepare themselves for the responsibilities and obligations of membership. We commend their increasing contributions to international peacekeeping and security operations as well as their common efforts to advance regional cooperation," the final declaration said among other things.
"At our next summit in 2008, the Alliance intends to extend further invitations to those countries who meet NATO's performance based standards and are able to contribute to Euro-Atlantic security and stability," it added.
The declaration also welcomed Croatia's full cooperation with the Hague war crimes tribunal and the significant progress it had made in furthering political, economic, rule of law and defence reform.
Croatia was urged to make further efforts to secure stronger popular support for its membership aspirations.