[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

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                                    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

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                                       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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