NATO Enlargement and Albania's Path towards the Atlantic Alliance

Abstract

Albania was one of the first countries in Central and Eastern Europe to make its application for entry into NATO after the fall of communism in the region in 1989-1991. So, as for the other Western Balkan countries: such as Croatia or Macedonia Also Albania's application was evaluated by the Atlantic Alliance based on some criteria,: such as the state of Political and Economic Reforms, public opinion about the membership, Reforms on defense, the ability to Contribute to the missions of the Allies, the role of Albania in the region. Criteria for a young democracy: such as the Albanian were all to meet. However, according to Functional many observers, the NATO decision on Albania's application was blackberries political Judgment on the part of NATO member countries based on the repute the accession of the Balkan state would contribute to regional security rather than on the satisfaction of all criteria Imposed by NATO before accession.

DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n2p423