U.S. President George W. Bush said here on Sunday that Albania should carry on with the deepening of its political and military reforms and only then can its NATO membership be considered.

"Albania is working hard to meet performance-based standards for (NATO) membership, but there needs to be additional political and military reforms," Bush, who is on a whirlwind visit to the tiny western Balkan country, told a press conference after his meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha.

He said the United States supports Albania's efforts to join the NATO, calling the Albanian government and the opposition to do what is necessary to join the club.

"The prime minister said that Albania is committed to meeting those standards, and we are committed to help you," Bush said.

Albania has been longing to join the NATO for years. It signed the Adriatic Charter, along with Croatia and Macedonia, with the United States in 2003 in order to facilitate their entry into the NATO. It hopes it will receive invitation to join the club in 2008.

Last month, Bush sighed into law the U.S. senate bill restating the country's support for Albania's NATO accession, along with Croatia, Macedonia, Ukraine and George.