[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

                              ----------                              

                                   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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