NATO enlargement

Following the decision taken at the NATO summit in Bucharest, it was decided today in the Council of State to request the consent of the Storting to invite Albania and Croatia to join NATO.

The Protocols of Accession for Albania and Croatia were signed at a special meeting of the North Atlantic Council on 9 July. These two countries are expected to become full members before the NATO anniversary summit in April 2009. 

“The enlargement of NATO to include two new countries in the Balkans is important for reducing tensions and building stable and democratic societies in the region,” commented Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre. “NATO is thus taking a further step towards its goal of a democratic and stable Europe that is better equipped to meet the new security challenges of today.”

There is broad agreement among NATO members that the enlargement of the Alliance is a continuous process, and that all countries in Europe may seek membership through the extensive Membership Action Plan. Ten countries have so far taken part in this programme, Albania from 1999 and Croatia from 2002.

“Norway, like the other countries in the Alliance, emphasises that NATO applicants must meet the membership requirements, including democratic control of their armed forces and commitment to the rule of law. Albania and Croatia are well prepared for membership. Membership will also foster continued reform and democratic development in these countries,” said Mr Støre.