Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of MontenegroSenate Consideration of Treaty Document 114-12
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[Senate Treaty Document 114-12]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
114th Congress } { Treaty Doc.
SENATE
2d Session } { 114-12
_______________________________________________________________________
PROTOCOL TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY OF 1949 ON THE ACCESSION OF
MONTENEGRO
__________
MESSAGE
from
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
transmitting
PROTOCOL TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY OF 1949 ON THE ACCESSION OF
MONTENEGRO
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June 28, 2016.--Treaty was read the first time, and together with the
accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations and
ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate
______
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
59-018 WASHINGTON : 2016
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
----------
The White House, June 28, 2016.
To the Senate of the United States:
I transmit herewith, for Senate advice and consent to
ratification, the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949
on the Accession of Montenegro. This Protocol was signed in
Brussels on May 19, 2016, on behalf of the United States and
the other Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty. Also
transmitted for the information of the Senate is an overview of
the Protocol by the Department of State. Full ratification of
the Protocol by the United States and our allies will allow
Montenegro to become a Party to the North Atlantic Treaty and a
member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which outlines
NATO's Open Door policy, is part of the doctrinal foundation of
the Alliance. Montenegro's accession to NATO will demonstrate
to other countries in the Balkans and beyond that NATO's door
remains open to nations that undertake the reforms necessary to
meet NATO's requirements and contribute to the security of the
Alliance, and is yet another milestone in advancing the
EuroAtlantic integration of the Balkans. I am pleased that,
with the advice and consent of the Senate, and the
ratifications of this Protocol by our NATO allies, Montenegro
can soon join us as a member of this great Alliance.
I ask the Senate to continue working with me in advancing a
Europe whole, free, and at peace by providing its prompt advice
and consent to ratification for this Protocol of Accession. My
Administration stands ready to brief and assist you in your
deliberations.
Barack Obama.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL
----------
Department of State,
Washington, June 20, 2016.
The President,
The White House.
The President: I have the honor to submit to you, with a
view to its transmission to the Senate for advice and consent
to ratification, the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on
the Accession of Montenegro (``Protocol''). A brief overview of
the Protocol is enclosed. The Protocol was opened for signature
at Brussels May 19, 2016, and was signed that day on behalf of
the United States of America and the other parties to the North
Atlantic Treaty.
The Protocol proposes allowing Montenegro to become a party
to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949, which would make
Montenegro a member of NATO, with all the privileges and
responsibilities that apply to current NATO Allies. The core
commitment to Montenegro will be embodied in the existing text
of the North Atlantic Treaty, including the central collective
defense provision in Article 5. I believe Montenegro merits
this commitment on our part, that it shares our common
commitment to democratic values, and is prepared to act as a
responsible Ally.
The U.S. decision to pursue the enlargement of NATO has had
bipartisan support across several administrations. I am,
therefore, confident the Senate will grant its advice and
consent to ratification of this Protocol, after due
deliberation, without hesitation.
Montenegro has made the difficult decisions needed to
advance reforms and become a vibrant democracy. Its accession
to the North Atlantic Treaty and membership in the NATO
Alliance will be a major step towards realizing your vision of
a Europe whole, free, and at peace.
Respectfully submitted.
John F. Kerry.
Enclosures: As stated.
Overview
The Protocol is composed of three Articles, and is
identical in structure to prior Protocols of accession
providing for other states to join NATO. Article I provides
that, once the Protocol has entered into force, the Secretary
General of NATO shall extend an invitation to Montenegro to
accede to the North Atlantic Treaty, and that, in accordance
with Article 10 of the Treaty, Montenegro shall become a Party
to the Treaty on the date it deposits its instrument of
accession with the Government of the United States of America.
Article II provides that the Protocol shall enter into force
when each of the parties to the North Atlantic Treaty has
notified the Government of the United States of America of its
acceptance of the Protocol. Article III provides that the
English and French texts shall be equally authentic, and that
the Protocol shall be deposited in the Archives of the
Government of the United States of America, the depositary
state for the North Atlantic Treaty.
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