Doug Bereuter: “Today I rise to inform the House about the signing of the Adriatic treaty last Friday in the Albanian capital of Tirana.…”

“Today I rise to inform the House about the signing of the Adriatic treaty last Friday in the Albanian capital of Tirana. This agreement was signed by Secretary of State Powell and the foreign ministers of Albania, Croatia, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the three currently-remaining NATO aspirant nations. The Adriatic Charter pledges the United States to support efforts by Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to join NATO and other Euro-Atlantic institutions. In this agreement, the three aspirant nations commit themselves to accelerate their democratic reforms, protect human rights, implement market-oriented economic policies, and enhance their mutual cooperation. Under the Adriatic Charter, the United States and these three countries pledge to consult whenever the security of one of them is threatened, and the aspirant countries promise to continue defense reforms and undertake steps to enhance border security so they can contribute to regional stability. Mr. Speaker, the Adriatic Charter is one more important step toward President Bush's goal of a Europe whole and free from the Baltic to the Black Sea. I commend and congratulate the people of Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia on the occasion of the signing of the Adriatic Charter.”