Nato to take in Croatia, Albania

The Nato secretary general said it marked an historic achievement

Nato ambassadors in Brussels have signed accession protocols to bring Albania and Croatia a step closer to joining the Western alliance.

The ceremony took place at Nato's Brussels headquarters.

The two countries are expected to formally join the 26-nation pact next April, on Nato's 60th birthday.

Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer hailed the signing as an historic achievement for the troubled Balkans region.

The BBC's Oana Lungescu, in Brussels, says that bringing the two countries into the alliance is part of Western plans to maintain stability in the region, following Kosovo's declaration of independence.

From next week, the two states will take part in most Nato meetings, though they will not become complete members until their accession is ratified by all 26 allies.

The Nato secretary general also called for more flexibility from Macedonia, whose membership bid has been blocked by Greece due to a 17-year dispute over the country's name.