[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1266 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                         July 30, 2008.
Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) met in April 2008 to 
        enlarge the alliance, to reaffirm the purpose of NATO to defend the 
        populations, territories, and forces in the Euro-Atlantic region, and to 
        strengthen further the ability of NATO to confront existing and emerging 
        21st-century security threats;
Whereas NATO invited Albania and Croatia to begin accession talks to join NATO 
        and indicated that those talks will begin immediately, with the aim of 
        completing the ratification process without delay;
Whereas NATO expressed recognition of the hard work and commitment demonstrated 
        by other countries that aspire to join NATO and commended those 
        countries for their efforts to build multiethnic societies;
Whereas NATO invited Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro to begin an 
        Intensified Dialogue on the full range of political, military, 
        financial, and security issues relating to their aspirations to join 
        NATO;
Whereas NATO expressed the desire to develop an ambitious and substantive 
        relationship with Serbia, making full use of Serbia's membership in the 
        Partnership for Peace, and to make more progress toward integrating 
        Serbia into the Euro-Atlantic community, including through an 
        Intensified Dialogue following a request by Serbia; and
Whereas NATO's ongoing enlargement process has been a historic success in 
        advancing stability and cooperation and reaching the transatlantic goal 
        of ensuring that Europe is whole and free, and united in peace, 
        democracy, and common values: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulates Albania and Croatia on being invited by the North 
        Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to begin accession talks and 
        recognizes the historic nature of that achievement, earned through years 
        of hard work and a demonstrated commitment to common security and the 
        shared values of NATO members;
            (2) congratulates Albania and Croatia on the signing of the 
        Accession Protocols by NATO members on July 9, 2008, opening the way for 
        full NATO membership for both countries;
            (3) expresses strong support for the timely completion of the 
        accession process with Albania and Croatia;
            (4) fully supports the invitations to initiate an Intensified 
        Dialogue between NATO and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and 
        Serbia;
            (5) supports the enlargement of NATO and believes that continued 
        engagement with all countries that aspire to join NATO will strengthen 
        security for all countries in the Euro-Atlantic region;
            (6) supports the declaration of NATO at the Bucharest Summit, which 
        states that NATO's door should remain open to European democracies 
        willing and able to assume the responsibilities and obligations of 
        membership, in accordance with article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, 
        signed at Washington April 4, 1949 (TIAS 1964); and
            (7) affirms the statement in that declaration that any decision with 
        respect to the membership of countries in NATO will be made through 
        consensus, by members of NATO, and no country outside of NATO has a vote 
        or veto with respect to such decisions.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.