U.S. CONGRESS SUPPORTS CROATIA, ALBANIA, MACEDONIA ON ROAD TO NATO

WASHINGTON, June 24 (Hina) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday supported with a resolution the U.S.-Adriatic Charter and asked NATO to invite Croatia, Albania, and Macedonia in its membership when they were ready for it. #L# The House of Representatives says in the resolution, which was sponsored by Democrat Eliot Engel, the Congress strongly supports the Charter and commends Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia on their constant efforts to become full members of NATO and the European Union. The resolution urges NATO to invite the three countries in its ranks as soon as they demonstrate they are ready to assume the responsibilities of membership in the Alliance. Engel, a member of the Committee on International Relations, congratulated Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia on having overcome their difficult past and taken the road of a more cooperative, more inclusive, and more successful future as NATO members. The United States and the three countries signed the U.S.-Adriatic Charter in Tirana on May 2, confirming the commitment of Croatia, Albania, and Macedonia to join NATO as soon as they have met its standards and the U.S. support on their road to the Alliance. The resolution acknowledges the three countries are making important headway in bids to adjust their economic, military, and political institutions to the standards of NATO and other Euro- Atlantic structures. Today the U.S. Congress recognises the historic transformation of Croatia, Albania, and Macedonia, which are determined to become NATO members, said Engel. (hina) ha