The presidents of Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia participated in a panel discussion at RFE/RL on 21 November on their countries' aspirations for NATO membership in the next round of expansion. The three made it clear that they intend to work together to promote regional cooperation and integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions.

The RFE/RL panel, entitled "The Next Round Of NATO Expansion: A Southeast European Perspective," included Presidents Alfred Moisiu of Albania, Stipe Mesic of Croatia, and Boris Trajkovski of Macedonia. Each president stressed what his country has to offer the Atlantic alliance and why it seeks NATO membership.

President Moisiu noted that Albania has long conducted its foreign and security policies as though it were already a member of NATO. He added that Albanian commandos went to Afghanistan in August.

Moisiu argued that Albania and the ethnic Albanians of the region have shown that they are a factor for regional stability and cooperation. He noted the recent meeting between himself and Trajkovski during which they worked out a joint plan to promote their membership in the Atlantic alliance, a program to which Mesic has agreed. Moisiu said a new and deeper form of regional cooperation has been launched.

Mesic stressed that membership in NATO and the EU are two sides of the same coin. He noted that only a united Europe can be a good partner for the United States and an effective actor in the international arena as well as a serious participant in progress in science and technology.

Mesic argued that NATO membership would make the countries of the region participants in a security system and help develop values and standards that would improve their chances for EU membership. He added that the EU -- particularly through the example of Franco-German reconciliation -- has shown that it is possible to end Europe's age-old problem of frequent wars for territory or political gain.

Trajkovski pointed out that Macedonia's peaceful political solution to its crisis in 2001 strengthened that country's democratic institutions and regional stability alike. He added that Macedonia's international democratic credentials have been enhanced as a result. Trajkovski argued that the role of small countries in promoting peace and stability is considerable and stressed that his country is ready to do its part.

The Macedonian president noted that the countries of the region need to speed up the reform of their military and defense systems as well as to promote more "strategic thinking" in line with the latest trends in NATO. He said it makes little difference whether the important Western security presence in his country is under NATO or EU supervision, because these are all allied forces that have played an important part in stabilizing Macedonia.

When asked about the fact that Serbia seems a long way from Partnership for Peace membership because of its illegal arms sales, its failure to reform its military, and its lack of cooperation with the war crimes tribunal in The Hague, each president noted that Serbia still has much work to do.

Moisiu stressed that Serbia caused a decade of wars in the Balkans but pointed out that one must look to the future rather than to the past. He noted that Serbia must meet the prerequisites for Partnership for Peace before it can become a member, but its neighbors should try to help it through cooperation. He added that he hopes and believes the forces of democracy in Serbia will eventually prevail.

Mesic argued that it is important for Serbia to have a "catharsis." He argued that it must face up to both its past and to having started and lost four wars if it is to move forward. It must try and punish war criminals, he added.

Trajkovski said that security and defense issues still remain a problem for Serbia. He added, however, that one should look at the bigger picture and note the "courageous steps" that the current leadership has taken toward democratization.

Turning to the matter of regional cooperation, Moisiu noted that one can choose one's friends but not one's neighbors. He argued that it is important to promote the free movement of people as well as cross-border projects, such as in tourism. The president proposed regular meetings in each of the three countries' capitals, adding that "regional security, economic market reforms, military reform, and the fight against terrorism can all be better resolved through closer cooperation."

Mesic again stressed the importance of a European dimension to regional cooperation. He noted that the EU could help set up joint business ventures and infrastructure projects.

Trajkovski highlighted the military and security aspects of cooperation, noting that NATO's values and thinking can help play a role in regional integration. He added, "The Balkan region today still is not safe, it is not yet a place of decent life. We are surrounded by a large arsenal of weapons and a large number of people who are getting rich through smuggling, corruption, and murder." He strongly argued that regional cooperation is the best approach for dealing with regional issues.