NATO members sign accession protocols for Albania, Croatia

BRUSSELS (Xinhua) -- NATO member states signed on Wednesday accession protocols for Albania and Croatia, a key step toward formal membership of the two countries in the alliance.

A signing ceremony was held at a meeting of the decision-making North Atlantic Council at NATO headquarters in Brussels. The signing was witnessed by foreign ministers of the two invitee countries.

In his opening speech, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer hailed the signing of the protocols as a historical achievement for the two countries and for NATO.

The foreign ministers of the two invitee countries reiterated their countries' determination to continue reforms and to contribute resources to NATO operations.

The signing of accession protocols is a key step toward formal NATO membership for the two Western Balkan countries after they were invited to join the 26-member alliance at a NATO summit in April.

   Print Version     |        Back    |     Send To Friend