[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 103 (Wednesday, June 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REPORTING ON THE 2019 SPRING SESSION OF THE NATO PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 2019

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, from May 30 to June 3, 2019, the NATO 
Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) held its Spring Session in Bratislava, 
Slovakia. I led a bipartisan delegation to the Session, which included 
Representatives Michael Turner, John Shimkus, Susan Davis, Linda 
Sanchez, Jim Costa, Brett Guthrie, Paul Cook, Filemon Vela, Brendan 
Boyle, Neal Dunn, James Sensenbrenner, and staff.
  The NATO PA was founded in 1955 to serve as an inter-parliamentary 
organization for NATO. The NATO PA brings together the legislators of 
the NATO Member States to promote awareness and understanding of 
challenges facing NATO and strengthen the transatlantic relationship.
  In February in Brussels, Belgium, we were honored to have the Speaker 
of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi address the gathered 
delegates of the NATO PA and attend a meeting of the North Atlantic 
Council. The Speaker conveyed Congress' unshakable commitment to the 
Alliance and was received with great warmth.
  In early April, NATO celebrated its 70th Anniversary with a meeting 
of foreign ministers in Washington, DC--the site of the signing of the 
Washington Treaty in April 1949. On April 3, 2019, in observance of the 
70th Anniversary, Mr. Turner and I introduced H. Res. 286, expressing 
the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States 
remains committed to NATO. On April 4, 2019, at the invitation of 
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addressed 
a Joint Meeting of the two houses of Congress, the first head of a 
multilateral organization to deliver such an address.
  On April 25, 2019, NATO's 100th Rose-Roth Seminar was held in 
Brussels, Belgium. To recognize this milestone, Ripley Rand, former 
United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, spoke 
to commemorate and reflect on the work of his godfather and co-founder 
of the seminars, Congressman Charlie Rose of North Carolina.
  On May 30, 2019, in Bratislava, NATO PA convened its Spring Session 
to conduct the committee work of the NATO PA.
  The Defense and Security Committee heard three reports. Joseph Day of 
Canada gave a report on modernization of arms control and Allied 
nuclear forces, which mentioned NATO's new nuclear deterrence policy 
and how this has paved the way for a potential new era of rearmament 
and potentially destabilizing arms race. Another report was given by 
Mr. Nicholas Soames of the United Kingdom on NATO's `Evolving Security 
in the North Atlantic,' which discussed five recommendations to help 
secure Allied interests and activities in the North Atlantic. Lara 
Martinho of Portugal delivered a report on NATO exercises and 
investments, which among other things identified opportunities for 
investment Member States can take to improve mobility of the military.
  The Economics and Security Committee heard a report from Ausrine 
Armonait of Lithuania on North Macedonia, NATO's soon to be 30th 
member. The head of Norway's delegation, Christian Tybring-Gjedde, gave 
a report on how economic sanctions can be used as a tool for foreign 
policy and considers the conditions under which these tools can be 
effective. The committee also received a report from Jean-Marie Bockel 
of France on the impact of digital technology on the global economy and 
international trade in North America and Europe.
  The Science and Technology Committee heard from three reports. One 
from Congresswoman Susan Davis on ``NATO in the Cyber Age: 
Strengthening Security & Defence, Stabilising Deterrence,'' which 
described the growing importance of cyber security to NATO's defense 
capabilities. Matej Tonin, the head of Slovenia's delegation, delivered 
a report on artificial intelligence, which discussed the challenges and 
opportunities presented by military uses for artificial intelligence 
and global artificial intelligence research and development. Finally, 
the report ``NATO Anti-Submarine Warfare: Rebuilding Capability, 
Preparing for the Future,'' was presented by Leona Alleslev of Canada.
  The Political Committee heard three reports. I presented my report, 
``NATO at 70: Why the Alliance Remains Indispensable,'' which stressed 
that NATO's success over the past 70 years is not only due to its 
military capabilities, but also the fact that it is an alliance 
underpinned by common values. This emphasis on shared values has been 
pivotal in maintaining Alliance cohesion for seven decades, and it will 
be decisive for continued success. The Alliance must continue to insist 
that Allies uphold the founding democratic principles of the Alliance 
and consider support for democratic institutions as a condition for 
continued and future membership in the Alliance. Julio Calha of 
Portugal delivered the report ``Security and Stability in Africa--
Challenges and Opportunities for NATO.'' Also, Raynell Andreychuk of 
Canada presented a report on NATO's relations with Russia, addressing 
Russia's likely confrontational attitude toward NATO, as well as areas 
where NATO and Russia have common areas of interest that could be 
developed.
  Finally, the Civil Dimension of Security Committee heard a report 
from Ulla Schmidt of Germany, which reaffirmed the Alliance's values. 
The report explored NATO's historical commitment to democratic 
institutions and outlines recent challenges to these values. The 
committee also heard a report from Jane Cordy of Canada, examining 
Ukraine five years after the Revolution of Dignity. Finally, Lord 
Jopling of the United Kingdom, presented a report that emphasized that 
border security has become a top priority for many NATO Allies and 
examined border management strategies on both sides of the Atlantic.
  During the Spring Session, the United States Delegation also met with 
the Speaker of the Slovakian Parliament Andrej Danko and was hosted by 
the German delegation for a bilateral working lunch.
  I want to thank the members of the U.S. Delegation who work hard to 
support the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and in doing so demonstrate a 
steadfast commitment to transatlantic security and maintaining a Europe 
that is whole, free, and at peace. I also want to recognize the 
incredible support the NATO PA and our delegation receive from the 
Speaker of the House. It is noticed and appreciated on both sides of 
the Atlantic. Our delegation will continue its work in London in 
October at the 2019 Annual Session of the NATO PA.

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