Fact Sheet
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
May 2, 2003
Adriatic CharterThe Adriatic Charter, an initiative in the spirit of the 1998 U.S.-Baltic Charter, was proposed jointly by the Presidents of Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to President Bush at the NATO Prague Summit in November 2002. President Bush welcomed the Adriatic initiative as a strong contribution toward his vision of a Europe whole, free, and at peace. Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia jointly drafted the Charter. Secretary of State Colin Powell will sign the Charter together with his colleagues, Foreign Ministers Meta, Mitreva, and Picula, in Tirana, Albania, May 2, 2003.
The Charter:
- Builds on the achievements of the NATO Prague Summit by reinforcing continued U.S. support for the Alliance's "Open Door," underscoring the goal of Albania's, Croatia's, and Macedonia's eventual full integration into NATO and other Euro-Atlantic institutions.
- Underlines Albania's, Croatia's, and Macedonia's dedication to strengthening their individual and cooperative efforts to intensify and hasten domestic reforms which enhance the security, prosperity and stability of the region.
- Notes the tremendous accomplishments already achieved by Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration, outlines areas of continuing focus, and reiterates the intention of the United States to continue assisting the countries in implementing necessary reforms. Notes also that each aspirant country will be judged individually on its progress toward meeting standards for membership in Euro-Atlantic bodies.
- Reaffirms the parties' shared political commitment to strengthen democratic institutions, civil society, rule of law, market economies, and NATO-compatible militaries; to fight corruption and crime; and to protect human rights and civil liberties for all individuals in Albania, Croatia, Macedonia and the other countries of southeast Europe.
- Emphasizes close bilateral, regional and multilateral political, defense, and economic cooperation between the partners, and with their neighbors, as benefiting all the countries of southeast Europe by enhancing stability and accelerating the region's integration into European and transatlantic institutions.
- Foresees the establishment of Partnership Commission, at an appropriately high level of representation, that would meet twice a year or more often as necessary to review progress achieved toward meeting the objectives of the Charter. (The first meeting of the Partnership Commission has not been scheduled.)
Released on May 2, 2003
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