Mediu hopeful Albania becomes NATO member next year

TIRANA, Nov. 24 – Albanian Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu said last weekend that the country would become a NATO member next year and that it was in high gear to complete the required standards prior to the Bucharest summit next spring.
Mediu made the statement after meeting with his Estonian counterpart, Jaak Aavikasoo.
Mediu said that he was convinced that the Baltic countries would fully support Albania’s membership.
Mediu introduced his counterpart to the country’s efforts and reforms to meet the required standards for NATO membership, specifically mentioning the fact that the country had already fulfilled the demand for two percent of GDP funding for defense.
Mediu also mentioned the country’s participation into the international peacekeeping missions in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq as a sign of the country’s will to participate in the alliance.
Albania’s moderating role in the Balkan region is another factor mentioned by the minister. Together with Croatia and Macedonia, Albania hopes to join NATO next year. (Tirana Times Staff)