ZAGREB, May 3 (Hina) - The following is an unofficial translation of a joint statement issued by the chairpersons of the parliamentary foreign policy committees of Albania, Croatia and Macedonia after their meeting in Zagreb on
Monday:
ZAGREB, May 3 (Hina) - The following is an unofficial translation of a
joint statement issued by the chairpersons of the parliamentary
foreign policy committees of Albania, Croatia and Macedonia after
their meeting in Zagreb on Monday:#L#
"We, the chairs of the foreign policy committees of the parliaments of
three aspirant states for NATO membership, Albania, Croatia and
Macedonia, which cooperate closely within the American-Adriatic
Charter, have met in Zagreb to deepen our cooperation and reinforce
our friendship and solidarity as part of our contribution to the North
Atlantic Alliance.
"As we strive to achieve our comprehensive political, economic, social
and military reforms necessary for our admission to NATO, which will
be based on our individual achievements, our countries will support
one another in attaining our common goal: assisting in expanding and
strengthening the zone of stability and progress in Southeast Europe.
"Reaffirming our commitment to the principles of cooperation embodied
in the letter and the spirit of the American-Adriatic Charter, we
particularly express our will to promote the parliamentary dimension
of this cooperation, assisting in strengthening the already strong
community of values and interests that we share in Southeast Europe.
"We take this opportunity to congratulate the seven countries of the
Vilnius Group on their admission to NATO. We express our deepest
gratitude for their cooperation and support, wishing at the same time
that the spirit and solidarity of the Vilnius Group would live on.
"We expect the forthcoming NATO summit in Istanbul to recognise and
congratulate each of these countries on their achievements in its
final statement. A clear signal from the North Atlantic Alliance on
future membership will provide a strong impetus to our efforts in the
ongoing reforms.
"We very much appreciate the achievements of our respective countries
within individual NATO Membership Action Plans, at the same time
requesting that NATO start admission talks with Albania, Macedonia and
Croatia as soon as possible."
(Hina) vm