NATO open to new members but only with required standards, says US diplomat

Remarks by Steven Cristina, Charge D’Affaires, U.S. Embassy, at the Albanian Atlantic Council Conference
TIRANA, Oct. 19 – Steven Cristina, Charge D’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy, started his speech with a moral while speaking at the Albanian Atlantic Council Conference but following that he added that “NATO is a community of shared values; it plays an important role in promoting democracy and advancing peace and security, and it is working together both in Europe and the rest of the world to do so.”
Albania is seeking full membership at next year’s Bucharest summit, however, Albania has been repeatedly reminded that it should do much more to reform its judiciary and political process.
“A-3 members are already contributing to NATO’s efforts; we appreciate the A-3’s individual and collective contribution to NATO’s most important mission in Afghanistan,” said Cristina. NATO membership for everyone in the region is important for stability; and KFOR is integral in ensuring peace and security in Kosovo, he added.
But Cristina reminded conference participants (including the visiting Macedonian defense minister) that, “NATO has an open door policy for any country that meets requirements, but the offer depends, ultimately, on the aspirant’s own accomplishments. The A-3 countries are working hard, both individually and cooperatively, to prepare themselves for eventual NATO membership. Time is short to meet the performance-based standards NATO applies to prospective members, but we believe it can be done.”
As usually mentioned, Cristina repeated that “the U.S. and other NATO allies continue to support these aspirations not only in words but in deeds נsupporting both military and civil reforms through training and equipment.”
Cristina said NATO membership meant an additional impetus for countries to make changes; change will require countries to adopt necessary economic and democratic reforms, improving military effectiveness, government responsiveness, and economic efficiency, with positive domestic consequences for its citizens; and these in turn can help make the countries even more attractive to foreign investment, creating a virtuous circle of investment and development.
“And finally, it will allow the country, through national contributions to NATO, to make a difference in international affairs.”
“We, quite understandably, are focused on doing everything in our power to avoid a return to the horrible violence of the 1990s, but it is worth remembering that the wars of the 1990s were not an aberration but a continuation of an all-too frequent tragedy visited upon the populations of this region during much of the 20th century and the latter half of the 19th.”
“Membership in NATO requires that a country be democratic and that it respects fundamental human rights of all, including minorities. It requires good relations between neighbors. NATO membership confers a sense of solidarity and security and helps stabilize relations.”