Chairman’s Conclusions Meeting of the Partnership Commission of the U.S. – Adriatic Charter Tirana, 15 December 2014 1. The representatives of the Partner countries of the U.S.-Adriatic Charter, Albania, Bosnia–Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and the United States, gathered in Tirana, on 15 December 2014, at the Meeting of the U.S.-Adriatic Charter Partnership Commission, to reaffirm their joint commitment to regional and international security and to the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkan countries. 2. In my capacity as Chair-in-Office of the U.S.-Adriatic Charter, let me summarize our position as follows: 3. As Euro-Atlantic security faces new and unprecedented challenges, we fully appreciate the effectiveness and the potential of the U.S.–Adriatic Charter in enhancing regional cooperation, a crucial dimension for the mutually complementary processes of NATO and EU integration. 4. The US–Adriatic Charter is a regional success story. Its partner and observer countries remain strongly committed to regional cooperation and security, as well as to partner countries’ aspirations to NATO membership and EU accession. We pursue these goals through reforms aimed at further consolidating democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Thanks to the support of the United States, the Charter represents a unique regional initiative, which provides a distinct added value. 5. Our region feels the threat stemming from the crisis in and around Ukraine. We strongly condemn the illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea, the violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. 6. In addition, we remain fully engaged within the international coalition fighting ISIL and have taken concrete measures to combat the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters. 7. The Charter Partners confirmed their commitment to continue their contribution to global security. They have been a valuable part of ISAF in Afghanistan, and will also continue to participate in the post-2014 “Resolute Support Mission”, aimed at training, advising and assisting the Afghan National Security Forces. 8. The Charter Partners also emphasized the importance of the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, and related resolutions. 9. The U.S.-Adriatic Charter remains dedicated to strengthening its cooperation with the U.S.-Baltic Charter. In this regard, we took note of the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the two Charters on the margins of the 69th UN General Assembly in New York in September. We stand ready to expand such cooperation and to continue meeting in different formats. 10. The Charter Partners strongly support the aspirations of the Western Balkan countries to Euro-Atlantic integration. Last June, Albania was granted EU candidate country status. The NATO Summit in Wales reaffirmed NATO’s open door policy and its support for the Euro- Atlantic integration of the aspirant countries in our region. 11. We also welcome the progress of Kosovo in strengthening multiethnic, democratic institutions, and of Serbia in the domain of partnership with NATO. The vision of a Europe whole, free and at peace, can only truly be realized through full Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans. 12. We emphasize the importance of the memberships of Albania and Croatia in NATO and their openness and willingness to share their experience and expertise with the rest of the Charter countries aspiring to join NATO. 13. We welcome and appreciate the substantial progress achieved by Montenegro towards NATO membership, as recognized at the Wales Summit. We are convinced that Montenegro will use the opportunity offered by intensified and focused talks with NATO to secure an invitation to join the Alliance within next year. 14. We reiterate our support for Macedonia to become a NATO member as soon as possible, and we remain confident that Macedonia will continue its efforts to find a prompt solution of the name issue. In line with the Wales decision, we encourage and support the continuation of reforms in Macedonia, particularly with a view to ensuring effective democratic dialogue, media freedom, judicial independence and a fully-functioning multi-ethnic society based on full and effective implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement. 15. We encourage the authorities of Bosnia-Herzegovina to make the necessary progress on the defense property issue. Resolution of this issue will enable NATO to activate the first cycle of Bosnia- Herzegovina’s Membership Action Plan, a substantial step of the country towards NATO membership. 16. We welcome the participation of the two observers, Kosovo and Serbia, at our meeting. The door of the U.S.-Adriatic Charter remains open to all countries of the Western Balkans that desire to join our Charter and participate fully, strongly believing that enhancing cooperation within our region will contribute to strengthen regional stability and security. 17. We had hoped to welcome today Kosovo to join the U.S.-Adriatic Charter at this Meeting of the Partnership Commission. We regret Bosnia-Herzegovina’s objection to Kosovo becoming a full partner. 18. 2014 was the first time that the Chairmanship of the U.S.-Adriatic Charter lasted a full year. It has been a challenging time, but ultimately an active and succesful Chairmanship of Albania. We welcome the Chairmanship of Bosnia-Herzegovina in the upcoming year. .