U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

1 

69–118 

" ! SENATE 110TH CONGRESS

2d Session 

TREATY DOC. 

2008

110–20 

PROTOCOLS TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY OF 

1949 ON ACCESSION OF ALBANIA AND CROATIA 

MESSAGE 

FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 

TRANSMITTING

PROTOCOLS TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY OF 1949 ON THE 

ACCESSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA AND THE REPUBLIC 

OF CROATIA ADOPTED AT BRUSSELS ON JULY 9, 2008, AND 

SIGNED THAT DAY ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES AND 

THE OTHER PARTIES TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY 

JULY 23, 2008.—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 


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(III)

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit herewith, for Senate advice and consent to ratification, Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Croatia. These 

Protocols were adopted at Brussels on July 9, 2008, and signed 

that day on behalf of the United States and the other Parties to 

the North Atlantic Treaty. Also transmitted for the information of 

the Senate is the report of the Department of State, which includes 

an overview of the Protocols. 

NATO enlargement remains an historic success in advancing 

freedom, stability, and democracy in the Euro-Atlantic area. Albania and Croatia serve as two more examples of countries motivated 

by the prospect of NATO membership to advance significant and 

difficult political, economic, and military reforms. Their efforts and 

success demonstrate to other countries in the Balkans and beyond 

that NATO’s door remains open to nations willing to shoulder the 

responsibilities of membership. I am pleased that, with the advice 

and consent of the Senate, these new democracies can soon join us 

as members of this great Alliance. 

I ask the Senate to join me in advancing the cause of freedom 

and strengthening NATO by providing its prompt advice and consent to ratification of these Protocols of Accession. My Administration stands ready to assist you in any way we can in your deliberations. 

GEORGE W. BUSH. 

THE WHITE HOUSE, July 23, 2008. 


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(V)

LETTER OF SUBMITTAL 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 

Washington, July 16, 2008. 

The President, 

The White House. 

THE PRESIDENT: I have the honor to submit to you, with a view 

to their transmission to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification, Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the accession of the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Croatia. These 

Protocols were opened for signature at Brussels on July 9, 2008, 

and were signed on that day on behalf of the United States of 

America and the other parties to the North Atlantic Treaty. 

The Protocols propose adding the Republic of Albania and the 

Republic of Croatia to NATO as members, with all the privileges 

and responsibilities that apply to current Allies. The core commitment to these states will be embodied in the existing text of the 

North Atlantic Treaty of 1949, including the central collective defense provision in Article 5. I believe these countries merit this 

commitment on our part and that they share our common commitment to democratic values and are prepared to act as responsible 

Allies. The U.S. decision to pursue the enlargement of NATO has 

had bipartisan support across several administrations. I am therefore confident that the Senate will grant its advice and consent to 

ratification of these Protocols, after due deliberation, without hesitation. 

These two countries have made the difficult decisions needed to 

advance reforms and become vibrant democracies with vigorous 

market economies. Their accession to the Alliance will be a major 

step toward realizing your vision of a Europe whole, free, and at 

peace. 

Respectfully submitted. 

CONDOLEEZZA RICE. 


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VI

OVERVIEW

The Protocols are identical in structure and composed of three 

Articles. Article I provides that, once the Protocol has entered into 

force, the Secretary General of NATO shall extend an invitation to 

the named state to accede to the North Atlantic Treaty, and that, 

in accordance with Article 10 of the Treaty, the state 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 calls for deposit of the Protocol in the Archives of the Government of the United States of America, the depositary state for the North Atlantic Treaty. 


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