Albania, NATO hold first round of negotiations

TIRANA, April 23 – Albania held its first round of talks with the Northern Alliance after receiving its NATO membership invitation at the Bucharest summit earlier this month.
Negotiations held in Brussels focused on political and defense issues, according to a statement.
“Albania is committed to fulfilling all obligations coming from the basic principles of the Washington Treaty,” it said.
The next round of talks will be held May 9 and will focus on technical-legal aspects, security, financial and human resources.
After the end of negotiations, there will be an approved plan of measures and actions with defined time periods which are considered necessary for full membership in the alliance.
Full membership is expected to occur next summer, said the statement. (Tirana Times Staff)