NATO urged to invite Albania as a member

NEW YORK , Feb. 19 – The National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) urged NATO to invite Albania to join the Alliance saying that its membership would have a calming effect at a time when Europe is adjusting to Kosova’s independence.
Welcoming Albania נa multiethnic country with a large Muslim population נwould also send a positive signal worldwide.
“It is in NATO’s interest to invite Albania to join the Alliance at its Bucharest Summit in April,” according to NCAFP President Dr. George Schwab.
The NCAFP issued a research report – Albania: From Fragile State to Viable International Partner – asserting that Albania has proven its commitment to political, economic and security sector reforms since Prime Minister Sali Berisha formed a new government in September 2005 and pointing out that there are important strategic reasons for bringing Albania in from the cold.
According to David L. Phillips, project director and author of the report, “Albania’s NATO membership offers immediate benefits by extending the zone of stability in Southeastern Europe at a time when the region is adjusting to Kosova’s imminent independence. Welcoming Albania into NATO would also be a strong positive signal to other religiously diverse and multi-ethnic countries with Muslim populations.”
In addition, Phillips notes: “Albania’s goal of EU membership will help guard against backsliding and ensure Albania’s continued commitment to international standards.” Albania stands a good chance of receiving an invitation to join NATO in the near future, even though its reform process has not been as quick as the Alliance would like, local Albanians believe.
The country’s leaders have described NATO integration as a top national priority, vowing to leave no stone unturned in efforts to meet the requirements. Nevertheless, partisan battles between Prime Minister Sali Berisha’s ruling coalition and opposition parties have slowed the pace, and NATO officials נincluding Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer נhave warned that the country still has work to do.
Albania’s prospects, like those of fellow Adriatic Charter member Macedonia and Croatia, are boosted by the need to ensure regional security.