Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has written to the leaders of the U.S. Senate urging the ratification of Montenegro as the newest member of the NATO alliance, saying it is “strongly in the interests of the United States”, Reuters reports.
In a letter dated March 7 and seen by the British new agency on Tuesday, Tillerson argued that Montenegro’s membership in the alliance would support greater integration, democratic reform, trade, security and stability among its neighbours.
Reuters states that Moscow opposes any further expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the delay in U.S. approval of Montenegro’s accession has fuelled questions about whether President Donald Trump’s administration and his Republican Party will stand up to Russia despite Trump’s desire for better relations, the agency says.
NATO members see Montenegro’s accession as a way to counter Russia’s efforts to expand its influence in the Balkans.
In his letter to the Senate’s Republican majority leader, Mitch McConnell, and copied to Chuck Schumer, the chamber’s top Democrat, Tillerson said it would be “immeasurably helpful” if the Senate scheduled a floor vote to complete ratification procedures in time for Trump’s participation in the May NATO summit.
“Montenegro’s participation in the May NATO Summit as full member not as an observer will send a strong signal of transatlantic unity. It is strongly in the interests of the United States that Montenegro’s membership in NATO be ratified,” he wrote.
