NATO ambassadors have signed an accession protocol, allowing Albania and Croatia to move a step closer to membership. "Today Albania and Croatia have begun the final stage. I hope that if all goes right, and I’ll do my best to ensure it does, they'll be able to cross the finish line, the very end of their road at our summit in Strasbourg and Kehl," NATO Sec.-Gen. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said referring to the alliance’s next summit to be held in 2009 in the towns of Strasbourg and Kehl. read more ...