Albania gets first messages of congratulation following acceptance to NATO

TIRANA, April 3 – Britain and the United States, along with Kosova, became the first countries to officially send messages of congratulations to Albania following its formal invitation to join NATO, which was issued at today’s Bucharest summit. The British Ambassador has sent messages of congratulation to the President and Prime Minister.
“The co-operation between the political parties, which has contributed greatly to this NATO invitation, now needs to continue in pursuit of the important reforms, particularly electoral and judicial, that this country needs for its future development”, said the letter of congratulations from the British embassy.
“Today is a day of joy, both for Albania and for the United States. It is a day of historic significance for both Albanians and Americans,” said U.S. Ambassador to Tirana, John L. Withers.
“I am here today to extend my congratulations to Albania and to the Albanian people; and not only from myself, but also on behalf of my government and the American people,” he said at a meeting of justice officials in Tirana.
“This invitation, pure and simple, is a triumph of the Albanian people. Not of one party or another, but of all Albanians, of all parties, working and sacrificing together. It is one of the most important commitments that we can make to the Albanian people. And it recognizes the commitment of all Albanians to democracy, the rule of law, and a better future for the country after the dark night of communism.”
Both Kosovar President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci commended Albania and Croatia on receiving NATO membership invitations and said they were convinced that, one day soon Kosova would also apply for NATO membership.(Tirana Times Staff)