Acknowledging the need to further strengthen the consolidated capacity of the Euro-Atlantic community to counter existing and potential global challenges and security threats,
Recalling that NATO does not seek confrontation, poses no threat to Russian Federation and will continue to respond to Russian threats and hostile actions in a united and responsible way, including by strengthening deterrence and defence for all Allies, enhancing resilience and supporting its partners to counter malign interference and aggression,
Emphasizing that the Russian Federation is the most significant and direct threat to Allies´ security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area, as stipulated in the NATO 2022 Strategic Concept adopted by Heads of State and Government at the NATO Summit in Madrid on 29 June 2022,
Having regard to Paragraph 4 of the Vilnius Summit Communiqué issued by NATO Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Vilnius on 11 July 2023, whereby Allies reaffirm their commitment to NATO’s Open Door Policy and to Article 10 of the Washington Treaty, which clearly states that any other European State in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area may be invited to accede to this Treaty,
Recalling Paragraph 11 of the Vilnius Summit Communiqué, whereby Allies fully support Ukraine’s right to choose its own security arrangements, agree that Ukraine’s future is in NATO and recognise that Ukraine’s path to full Euro-Atlantic integration has moved beyond the need for the Membership Action Plan,
Taking note of the Constitution of Ukraine which defines acquiring full-fledged membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a strategic course of the state,
Having regard to the Joint Appeal of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Speaker of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as of September 30, 2022 on Ukraine’s application for NATO membership,
Ukraine and the Republic of Albania
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welcome the significant achievements of Ukraine in advancing on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration, in particular, with regard to achieving interoperability with NATO as demonstrated by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the battlefield;
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confirm their commitment to strengthen joint efforts in supporting the integration of Ukraine with the Alliance and implementation of NATO standards, including through the NATO-Ukraine Council;
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declare the following:
- the Republic of Albania will continue to promote the NATO Allies’ strong and effective political and material support for Ukraine aimed at ensuring the ability of the Ukrainian state to effectively defend its territorial integrity;
- Ukraine highly appreciates all practical assistance being provided by the Republic of Albania and the people of the Republic of Albania in order to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities;
- the Republic of Albania will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. It will continue to provide political, military, technical, defence, and humanitarian support to Ukraine, individually as well as through international cooperation within NATO, the United Nations and other formats;
- the Republic of Albania is committed to participate together with international organizations, allies and partners in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine after the war;
- agree that the security of Ukraine is of great importance to Allies and the Alliance;
- Albania supports Ukraine to become a NATO member, as soon as Allies agree and conditions are met, and remains fully committed to support Ukraine on its path to full Euro-Atlantic integration.
Signed in duplicate in New York, the United States of America on 20 September 2023 in the English language.
For Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
For the Republic of Albania Prime Minister Edi Rama
