Montenegro, Welcome to NATO

Congressman Lamborn and the Congressional Montenegro Caucus discuss the status of democracy abroad.

This past weekend, Montenegro celebrated the eleventh anniversary of its independence. This week, President Trump will attend the NATO summit in Brussels, Belguim, where Montenegro will be officially welcomed as a new member.

Along with the gentlewoman from Maine, I chair the Congressional Montenegro Caucus. The goal of the Caucus is simple: to educate Members of Congress on U.S.-Montenegro relations and to show the people of Montenegro that they have friends here in the United States, including the U.S. Congress.

Over the last year, the relationship between the United States and Montenegro has received greater attention here on Capitol Hill. I rise today to ask my colleagues to continue to devote time and attention over the year ahead on this important alliance. Indeed, in an overwhelming display of bipartisanship, on March 28th the Senate ratified accession of Montenegro to become the 29th member of NATO. On April 11th, President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum codifying this significant landmark.

I am proud to also share that on April 27th our counterparts — the elected representatives in the Montenegrin Parliament — voted 46–0 to ratify accession to NATO.

Eleven years ago this week, the people of Montenegro voted in favor of peacefully becoming an independent state and dissolving the union with Serbia. Shortly thereafter, all five members of the United Nations Security Council recognized the newest country in the world, beginning a new chapter in the history of trans-Atlantic relations.

The events of the last few weeks and the last 11 years demonstrate the truest form of representative democracy. Civil debate here on Capitol Hill and in Podgorica among elected leaders representing the will of our constituents has shown the world that democracy remains the best form of government, despite its imperfections.

As Winston Churchill said,

“No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”

(Churchill By Himself, 2013)

The inclusion of Montenegro in NATO will strengthen regional and trans-Atlantic security — and send a strong message of the importance of democratic values. As my colleagues know, democratic values — transparency, equal justice, and rule of law — must constantly be fostered. Accession into Nato has allowed Montenegro to advance toward these values. It is our responsibility as a Congress to help this new nation further embrace Euro-Atlantic integration and to increase its ability to fight organized crime and corruption.

Meanwhile, American business leaders likewise play a vital role. For example, the Stratex Group, the largest American investor in Montenegro with roots in Massachusetts, continues to work alongside our Embassy to foster stronger bilateral relations and a commitment by all Montenegrin elected officials — local and federal — to these democratic values we all hold dear.

Only two places in Montenegro fly the American flag: the U.S. Embassy and the Stratex properties.

Beyond strengthening our formal diplomatic alliance, my colleagues here in Congress must endeavor to creatively promote stronger ties in at least two ways.

First, the State Partnership between the Maine National Guard and Montenegro has been successfully building relationships for over a decade, linking unique component of the U.S. Department of Defense with the Armed Forces of Montenegro in a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship. Through this program, the U.S. National Guard conducts military-to-military engagement in support of defense security goals but also leverages whole of society relationships and capabilities to facilitate broader interagency and corollary engagements spanning military, government, economic, and social spheres.

Second, we must support business and cultural diplomacy — in Montenegro and around the world, encouraging our diplomats to have a greater appreciation for American investments in emerging democracies.

To attract additional investment, Montenegro must fully commit to the rule of law, transparency, and an independent judiciary. With the continue focus from the United States, I am confident Montenegrin government leaders will continue down the path of reform.

The Congressional Montenegro Caucus congratulates Montenegro on their achievements as they finally have a seat at the table at this week’s NATO meeting, and stands in support of a stable, secure Europe based on collective self-defense, economic freedom, the rule of law, and democracy.

Congressman Doug Lamborn represents Colorado’s fifth district. He also chairs the Congressional Montenegro Caucus and serves on the House Armed Services Committee. For more information about his international relations efforts, please visit his official website.