Albania’s economy to see immediate boost from NATO membership, minister says

Tirana – 2 April 2008 (AENews) – This week’s likely invitation for Albania to become a full NATO member will give an immediate boost to the Albanian economy, the country’s economy minister, Genc Ruli, said.

Speaking at a news conference in Tirana, Mr. Ruli said the perception of security and stability that comes with membership to the military alliance would indirectly affect the Albanian economy now and in the long term.

“Although NATO is not an organization of economic cooperation, rather a security organization, there is no doubt that membership will have positive short term and long term effects in the economic development of Albania,” Mr. Ruli said. “That’s because Albania will enter the world’s best and most efficient international security organization.”

The Bucharest Summit starts work today, and NATO officials have indicated there is an overwhelming chance Albania, Croatia and Macedonia will be invited to become full members of the military alliance. However, some questions remain, particularly over the dispute between Athens and Skopje over Macedonia’s name.

Polls indicate 94 percent of Albanians support NATO membership, the highest figure among the three countries, which are members of the Adriatic Charter. /ab/

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