By Katherine Smitton, External Relations Team

Leaden skies and light drizzle failed to dampen the mood on Tuesday 7 April, as the flags of Albania and Croatia were raised in front of NATO HQ for the first time. The flag raising ceremony marked the culmination of many years of hard work for the two new members. The UK has worked closely with both nations as they made the necessary political, military and other reforms needed for NATO membership, through the framework of the Membership Action Plan (MAP). The UK Delegation to NATO was well-represented at the ceremony, including by the Permanent Representative and Military Representative.

As the International Band played the national anthems of the two new members, the Albanian, then the Croatian, flags were raised by military personnel from the respective countries. These were followed by the NATO anthem (the first time many of us had heard it!) The Secretary General then made a short speech, in which he stressed the significance of the accession of Albania and Croatia for the wider region of South-East Europe, and for NATO as a whole. This message was echoed by the Dean of the North Atlantic Council (the Danish Permanent Representative) in his words of welcome to the two new members.

Finally, Prime Minister Berisha and Prime Minister Sanader spoke. Prime Minster Berisha outlined how far Albania had come since joining MAP in 1999, achieving progress in a wide range of reform areas. He said NATO membership was the second greatest event for Albania after independence. Prime Minster Sanader stressed the importance of NATO membership for Croatia, and underlined Croatia’s continued commitment to a NATO perspective for South-East Europe. He hoped their neighbours in Skopje (Macedonia) would also be able to join the Alliance soon.

There was just time for a new NATO family portrait before the crowds dispersed, and the Permanent Representatives of Albania and Croatia joined their new colleagues heading for meeting room 2.