[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 113 (Monday, July 11, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S3198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





      REMOVAL OF INJUNCTION OF SECRECY--TREATY DOCUMENT NO. 117-3

  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent that the injunction of secrecy be 
removed from the following treaty transmitted to the Senate on July 11, 
2022, by the President of the United States:

       Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the 
     Accession of the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of 
     Sweden (Treaty Document No. 117-3).

  I further ask that the treaty be considered as having been read the 
first time; that it be referred, with accompanying papers, to the 
Committee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be printed; and that the 
President's message be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The message of the President is as follows:

To the Senate of the United States:
  I transmit herewith, for the advice and consent of the Senate to its 
ratification, the Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the 
Accession of the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden ( the 
``Protocols''). The Protocols were signed in Brussels on July 5, 2022, 
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 Protocols by the Department of State. Full 
ratification of the Protocols will allow Finland and Sweden to become 
Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty and members 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. It 
states that Allies may, by unanimous consent, invite any other European 
State in a position to further the principles of the Treaty and to 
contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area to accede. As 
further explained in the reports on the accession of Finland and Sweden 
to NATO, transmitted to the Congress on May 19 and July 1, 2022, in 
light of section 3(2)(E) 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, Finland and Sweden more than meet these qualifications. They will 
be net contributors to the Alliance, in both capabilities and 
resources, and they share critically important values with the United 
States. Finland's and Sweden's accession will help further United 
States priorities within NATO.
  I ask the Senate to continue working with my Administration in 
advancing a strong and free Europe by providing its prompt advice and 
consent to ratification of the Protocols. We are encouraging all Allies 
to act expeditiously in their own ratification processes as well, given 
current global considerations. My Administration stands ready to brief 
and assist you in your deliberations.
                                                 Joseph R. Biden, Jr.  
The White House, July 11, 2022.

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