ADRIATIC CHARTER COUNTRIES TO MEET IN WASHINGTON ON NOV. 13-14

WASHINGTON, Nov 11 (Hina) - Representatives of the United States, Croatia, Albania and Macedonia will meet in Washington on November 13 and 14 to examine the progress made in implementing the American- Adriatic Charter on the path of the three Southeastern European countries towards their integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions, the Croatian Embassy to Washington said in a statement on Monday. #L# The first ministerial meeting of the Partners' Council within the American-Adriatic Charter will by hosted by the US State Department. The US government will be represented by Deputy State Secretary Richard Armitage, while the Croatian delegation will be led by Deputy Foreign Minister Ivan Simonovic. The charter was initiated through the Partnership and Cooperation Charter signed in Tirana on May 2. The three countries expect full support of the United States in their efforts to join NATO in the next round of expansion of the North-Atlantic alliance, the statement said. The Adriatic Charter commits the three countries to carry out reforms and adopt standards necessary for admission to the EU and NATO, including strengthening democracy and human rights, implementing economic reforms, promoting regional security and initiating reforms in the armed forces as part of NATO's Membership Action Plan. (hina) vm