By John Colston
NATO’s Riga Summit last November sent two clear messages to countries who aspire to join the NATO Alliance: a message of encouragement and support; and a message that NATO’s process of enlargement will continue to be based on performance.
In their Declaration, NATO leaders welcomed the preparations that the three participants in NATO’s Membership Action Plan, including Albania, have made so far. And they commended them for their contributions to international security and to regional cooperation.
In addition, the Alliance leaders stated that, at their Summit meeting in 2008, they intend to extend further invitations to those countries who meet NATO’s performance based standards and are able to contribute to Euro-Atlantic security and stability.
What this means is that it is now up to the aspirant nations to demonstrate substantial progress by the time of the Summit in 2008. It also means that the period between now and the next Summit will see an unprecedented degree of scrutiny by the Allies of the performance of the aspirant nations.
Let me be clear: this is not the time to sit back and relax. To the contrary, now is the time to push ahead and continue to make further concrete progress. No decisions have been taken, and decisions will depend on Albania’s performance. Allies will expect to see that the process is irreversible. And they will expect to see more than putting in place the necessary legislation – they will be looking for implementation.
As Albania pursues these efforts, the Membership Action Plan should remain its guiding instrument. The MAP enables your country to benefit from NATO’s support and guidance in pursuing reforms in key areas; to understand the reforms which NATO itself is undertaking; and to ensure that Albania is well prepared to join the Alliance. Albania should use the Plan vigorously in the key period ahead. And NATO will continue to fully support you in that effort, which is why I and my team are here in Tirana this week.
In the area of defense reform, Albania has made significant progress. It now needs to maintain the momentum and consolidate that progress through sustained political will and financial support. I welcome the Government’s commitment to spend 2% of the GDP on defense from 2008 onward: this is essential, but it is also essential to ensure that this money is spent wisely, to produce modern and capable armed forces which serve Albania’s interests, contribute to regional security, and reflect your Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
The Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces are on the right course. But it is not only the Ministry of Defense which would be joining NATO, but it is the entire country, with all of its institutions.
NATO Allies today are not bound together by structures or bureaucracies, nor even by a single common threat. What binds the Allies together is first and foremost the common values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law which they uphold and defend. Allies expect the aspirants to embrace these principles as well.
Albania has made some good progress in this regard. The Riga Declaration welcomed the improved conduct of parliamentary elections in July 2005. While the local elections which took place here on February 18 had some positive aspects – an open debate in the media, high voter turnout, and good standards of policing, we fully share the OSCE observation mission’s preliminary assessment that the elections demonstrated a missed opportunity for the political parties to work together to ensure that the elections were conducted to the highest international standards.
It will be essential to strengthen the democratic dialogue between the political parties. Cooperation between government and opposition in implementing reform is a key element for success. I therefore warmly welcome the initiative to hold this workshop today involving the full spectrum of political opinion.
Sustained efforts to combat corruption and organized crime, and ensure judicial reform and the development of the police are also vital. It will be essential to demonstrate concrete results in these areas, which were identified in Riga as priority areas for Albania to address, and which will depend on cross-party cooperation.
Albania’s contribution to international security is warmly welcomed by the Allies. In particular, we appreciate your participation in NATO’s mission in Afghanistan and, in addition your company to deploy an additional company to Afghanistan, as well as your contribution to the fight against terrorism.
The NATO Allies also appreciate Albania’s moderate and constructive stance in regional affairs and we expect you to continue to play this positive role especially as we enter the final stages of a settlement of Kosovo’s status. The cooperation you have developed within the Adriatic Charter Initiative is very valuable.
As NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said on many occasions, Euro-Atlantic integration is the key to ensuring democracy, prosperity, and lasting peace in South East Europe. We are therefore fully committed to continue to assist you and your neighbors on this journey.
NATO’s enlargement process has never been driven by artificial deadlines. It was, is, and remains a performance-based process. As I said, there is still work to be done and you can count on the Allies’ full support in addressing those issues. An intensified scrutiny on Albania by the Allies will be a natural part of this process.
The timing of the invitation to Albania to join will be a political decision for all the Allies. I cannot say today when that decision may come. But I can say that it will not come without the full commitment of the Government and Parliament alike to delivering progress.
We want you to succeed – and soon. We will help you to succeed, and will support you every step of the way. But your success will depend on your will, your performance. And I wish you every success as you move forward.
Remarks by NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defense Policy and Planning John Colston on March 3, 2007
