Adriatic Charter convenes in Tirana

TIRANA, Oct. 24 – An Adriatic Charter conference on Euro-Atlantic Integration and Security Challenges in the Western Balkans was held in Tirana this week, organized by the Albanian Parliament under Albania’s chairmanship of the Adriatic Charter Group. It was attended by representatives from Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo. NATO has expressed its firm support for the integration of all countries of the region into the Euro-Atlantic structures. Participants spoke about the importance of regional co-operation in advancing that process and the crucial role Parliaments play in supporting the necessary internal democratic reform, as well as regional cooperation. It was stressed that the role of Parliament and parliamentarians is to be champions of public and national interest, rather than ethnic or partisan interests; and defenders of Euro-Atlantic ambitions and obligations. Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said that the Adriatic Charter has significantly contributed to strengthening of cooperation in the region. He expressed his gratitude to the architects and founders of the Adriatic Charter in Tirana. “The Adriatic Charter led to successful admission of Albania and Croatia into NATO and of Macedonia de facto. This initiative welcomed other countries Montenegro and Bosnia and remains open to Serbia and Kosova,” he said.