NATO membership is obligation, not reward, Robertson tells Albania

TIRANA, July 17 (AFP)- (AFP) Jul 17, 2003
NATO chief George Robertson told Albania Thursday that their desire to join the military alliance was welcome but would bring heavy obligations as well as the rewards of security.

"NATO membership is not a gift, it is not an honor, it is not a reward," the secretary general said after meeting here with President Alfred Moisiu.

"It is a huge obligation which brings enormous benefits to a country.... Countries that want to join the alliance have to be able to contribute to security and not just benefit from security," he said.

Still, said Robertson, he came to Tirana in order to "encourage the country in its efforts to join NATO structures."

In meetings with the NATO chief, Albania's leaders confirmed the country's hopes of joining the alliance by 2005, arguing that the integration of all Balkan countries would improve regional stability.

"NATO is the institution for peace and it should remain present in the region because its role is irreplaceable," Moisiu said.

Prime Minister Fatos Nano said Tirana was determined to pursue economic and institutional reforms aimed at easing its integration into both NATO and the European Union.

"We are determined to fight organized crime, illegal trafficking and eliminate corruption, which are all necessary conditions for joining the European structures," Nano said.

Since January, Tirana has been negotiating an accord on stabilization and association with the European Union, which is expected to be signed in 2004 at the latest.

Robertson was visiting Albania along with the ambassadors of 19 NATO countries.

WAR.WIRE