U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

1 

59–118 

" ! SENATE 

114TH CONGRESS

2d Session 

TREATY DOC. 

2016

114–12 

PROTOCOL TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY OF 

1949 ON THE ACCESSION OF MONTENEGRO 

MESSAGE 

FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 

TRANSMITTING

PROTOCOL TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY OF 1949 ON THE 

ACCESSION OF MONTENEGRO 

JUNE 28, 2016.—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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LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 

THE WHITE HOUSE, June 28, 2016. 

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit herewith, for Senate advice and consent to ratification, the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of Montenegro. This Protocol was signed in Brussels on 

May 19, 2016, 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 by the United States and our 

allies will allow Montenegro to become a Party to the North Atlantic Treaty and a member 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. Montenegro’s accession to NATO will demonstrate to other 

countries in the Balkans and beyond that NATO’s door remains 

open to nations that undertake the reforms necessary to meet 

NATO’s requirements and contribute to the security of the Alliance, and is yet another milestone in advancing the EuroAtlantic 

integration of the Balkans. I am pleased that, with the advice and 

consent of the Senate, and the ratifications of this Protocol by our 

NATO allies, Montenegro can soon join us as a member of this 

great Alliance. 

I ask the Senate to continue working with me in advancing a Europe whole, free, and at peace by providing its prompt advice and 

consent to ratification for this Protocol of Accession. My Administration stands ready to brief and assist you in your deliberations. 

BARACK OBAMA. 


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LETTER OF SUBMITTAL 

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 

Washington, June 20, 2016. 

The PRESIDENT, 

The White House. 

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

to its transmission to the Senate for advice and consent to ratification, the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of 

Montenegro (‘‘Protocol’’). A brief overview of the Protocol is enclosed. The Protocol was opened for signature at Brussels May 19, 

2016, 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 Montenegro to become a party to 

the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949, which would make Montenegro 

a member of NATO, with all the privileges and responsibilities that 

apply to current NATO Allies. The core commitment to Montenegro 

will be embodied in the existing text of the North Atlantic Treaty, 

including the central collective defense provision in Article 5. I believe Montenegro merits this commitment on our part, that it 

shares our common commitment to democratic values, and is prepared to act as a responsible Ally. 

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

bipartisan support across several administrations. I am, therefore, 

confident the Senate will grant its advice and consent to ratification of this Protocol, after due deliberation, without hesitation. 

Montenegro has made the difficult decisions needed to advance 

reforms and become a vibrant democracy. Its accession to the 

North Atlantic Treaty and membership in the NATO Alliance will 

be a major step towards realizing your vision of a Europe whole, 

free, and at peace. 

Respectfully submitted. 

JOHN F. KERRY. 

Enclosures: As stated. 


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OVERVIEW

The Protocol is composed of three Articles, and is identical in 

structure to prior Protocols of accession providing for other states 

to join NATO. Article I provides that, once the Protocol has entered 

into force, the Secretary General of NATO shall extend an invitation to Montenegro to accede to the North Atlantic Treaty, and 

that, in accordance with Article 10 of the Treaty, Montenegro 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 that the Protocol shall be deposited 

in the Archives of the Government of the United States of America, 

the depositary state for the North Atlantic Treaty. 


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