[Senate Treaty Document 116-1]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
116th Congress } { Treaty Doc.
SENATE
1st Session } { 116-1
_______________________________________________________________________
PROTOCOL TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY OF 1949 ON THE ACCESSION OF THE
REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA
__________
MESSAGE
from
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
transmitting
PROTOCOL TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY OF 1949 ON THE ACCESSION OF THE
REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA
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April 29, 2019.--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
89-118 WASHINGTON : 2019
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
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The White House, April 29, 2019.
To the Senate of the United States:
I transmit herewith, for the advice and consent of the
Senate to its ratification, the Protocol to the North Atlantic
Treaty on the Accession of the Republic of North Macedonia (the
``Protocol''). The Protocol was signed in Brussels on February
6, 2019, 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 will
allow North Macedonia to become a Party to the North Atlantic
Treaty and a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO).
As further explained in the report on the accession of
North Macedonia to NATO, transmitted to the Congress on March
27, 2019, pursuant to section 3(2)(E)(ii) of the Resolution of
Advice and Consent to Ratification of the Protocols to the
North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of Poland,
Hungary, and the Czech Republic of April 30, 1998, North
Macedonia is a steadfast security partner of the United States,
and its NATO membership will directly benefit United States
strategic interests and the NATO Alliance.
I ask that the Senate provide its advice and consent, and
my Administration stands ready to brief and assist you in your
deliberations.
Donald J. Trump.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL
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Department of State,
Washington, March 14, 2019.
The President,
The White House.
Dear Mr. President: I have the honor to submit to you, with
a view to its transmittal to the Senate for advice and consent
to ratification, the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on
the Accession of the Republic of North Macedonia
(``Protocol''). A brief overview of the Protocol is also
enclosed. The Protocol was opened for signature at Brussels on
February 6, 2019, 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 North Macedonia to become a
party to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949, which would make
North Macedonia a member of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) with all the privileges and
responsibilities that apply to current NATO Allies. The core
commitment to North Macedonia will be embodied in the existing
text of the North Atlantic Treaty. I believe North Macedonia
merits this commitment on our part, that it shares our common
commitment to democratic values, and is prepared to act as a
responsible Ally.
North Macedonia has made the difficult decisions needed to
advance reforms and become a vibrant democracy. In addition to
sending troops to fight in both Iraq and Afghanistan in the
interest of collective security, North Macedonia takes its
burden sharing seriously with a clear and credible plan in
place to meet the Wales commitment of spending at least 2
percent of GDP on defense by 2024. It has also committed to
rebalancing the current allocations within the defense budget
with the goal of reducing personnel costs to 50 percent,
increasing spending on operations, maintenance, and training to
30 percent, and increasing spending for equipment and
modernization to 20 percent.
The accession of North Macedonia to the North Atlantic
Treaty and its membership in the NATO Alliance will be a major
step towards realizing your vision of a strong and free Europe
that contributes to the preservation of the Western community
of nations. I am therefore confident that the Senate will grant
its advice and consent to ratification of this Protocol, after
due deliberation, without hesitation.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Pompeo.
Enclosures: As stated.
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