Minister Jandroković at signing ceremony of NATO Enlargement Protocol

Following the letter he sent to NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer with a reform schedule confirming Croatia’s readiness to join the NATO, Minister Jandroković was invited to today’s meeting of the North-Atlantic Council. Permanent representatives of NATO member countries in the presence of Croatian and Albanian representatives signed Protocols on NATO Enlargement to the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Albania.

In his address on this occasion Minister Jandroković said it was a historic moment for Croatia. From this day on Croatia will participate in the work of almost all NATO committees and other activities of the Alliance of independent states with which we share basic values – democracy, free market economy, respect of human rights and the rule of law, Minister Jandroković said. He also expressed hope that the ratification process would finish on time so that Croatia could participate as a full member at the next Summit, in spring 2009, in Strasbourg and Kehl.

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer agreed with such expectations regarding the course of ratification. He congratulated Croatia and Albania on signing the Protocol saying such success was achieved thanks to quality reforms undertaken for the benefit of these two countries and their citizens.

Croatia successfully terminated two rounds of accession negotiations whereby she expressed readiness to participate in common defense system and confirmed her active contribution to peace and security of the Euro-Atlantic region. Successfully implementing reforms of her Armed Forces and the defense sector as well as the entire society, Croatia fulfilled all membership criteria.

Protocol will in the next period be submitted to ratification procedure in national parliaments of NATO member countries after which Croatia will become full member of the Alliance on the invitation of the Secretary General.