1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “NATO Alliance Recognition and Promotion Act”.
NATO Alliance Recognition and Promotion Act
A BILL
To encourage enhanced security cooperation with European allies and continued enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
2. Findings
Congress makes the following findings:
On March 12, 2014, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) marked the 15th anniversary of enlargement through the accession of 3 Central European countries: the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary.
On March 29, 2014, NATO marked the 10th anniversary of enlargement through the accession of 7 Central European countries: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
On April 1, 2014, NATO marked the 5th anniversary of enlargement through the accession of Albania and Croatia.
The incorporation of these European countries into NATO has contributed toward a vision of Europe that is aimed at promoting stability and cooperation and building a Europe whole and free, united in peace, democracy, and common values.
Since joining the Alliance, these 12 member states have contributed to numerous NATO-led peace and security and stability operations, including the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan.
3. Statement of Congress
Congress declares that—
NATO has been the cornerstone of transatlantic security cooperation and an enduring instrument for promoting peace and stability in Europe and around the world for over 65 years;
the incorporation of the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Albania, and Croatia has been essential to the success of NATO in this modern era and has strengthened the list of key European allies of the United States;
since joining NATO, these member states have remained committed to the collective defense of the Alliance and have demonstrated their will and ability to contribute to transatlantic solidarity and assume increasingly more responsibility for efforts to promote international peace and security;
these NATO member states have become reliable partners and supporters of aspiring members, and the United States recognizes their continued efforts to aid in further NATO enlargement initiatives;
recent regional aggression has highlighted the importance of a strong, inclusive NATO alliance, with robust defense capabilities;
the commitment by these NATO members to Alliance principles and active participation in Alliance initiatives demonstrates the success of NATO’s Open-Door Policy;
the United States, as a means of continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid, will continue to work with allies to maintain and improve our individual and collective Allied capacity; and
the United States will remain committed to enhancing security cooperation with European allies and maintaining a military presence in Europe as a means of promoting Allied interoperability and capabilities and providing visible assurance to NATO allies in the region.
4. Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress—
to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to collective defense under Article 5 of the NATO Treaty;
that NATO members should review defense spending to ensure sufficient funding related to individual and collective capacity; and
that the United States, together with NATO allies, should continue to pursue enlargement initiatives for aspirant countries.