Montenegro becomes NATO’s 29th member

NATO and Montenegro signed on 19 May 2016 the acccession agreement paving the way for the Balkan country to become the trans-Atlantic alliance’s 29th member state.

The organisation's secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg stated that Montenegro's membership was 'a clear sign that NATO countries continue to build stability and security in the Western Balkans'.

The ratification process proceeded in the first half of 2017. The US Senate backed Montenegro's accession on 28 March 2017.

ESO: Background information: Alliance invites Montenegro to start accession talks to become member of NATO http://www.europeansources.info/record/alliance-invites-montenegro-to-start-accession-talks-to-become-member-of-nato/

BBC News, 19.05.16: Montenegro: Nato's newest and last member? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36311644

Balkan Insight, 19.05.16: NATO to Sign Accession Protocol with Montenegro http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/nato-to-sign-accession-protocol-with-montenegro-05-18-2016

Sputnik International, 18.05.16: Russia Reacting to Montenegro's NATO Accession Would Be Unjustified http://sptnkne.ws/brAn

NATO: Speeches, 18.05.16: Pre-Ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_130923.htm

TASS, 17.05.16: NATO foreign ministers, Montenegro to sign protocol on country’s accession to alliance http://tass.ru/en/world/876182

Balkan Insight, 06.05.16: Montenegro Hires US Lobbyists to Push NATO Case http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/montenegro-hires-us-lobbists-to-push-nato-case-05-05-2016

NATO: News, 06.05.16: Deputy Secretary General: NATO membership will ensure Montenegro’s long term security http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_130581.htm

EurActiv, 20.05.16: NATO finalises military build-up to counter Russia http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/nato-finalises-military-build-up-to-counter-russia/

EurActiv, 21.02.17: Montenegro’s parliament ‘will vote for NATO by 59%’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/montenegros-parliament-will-vote-for-nato-at-59/

EurActiv: Special Report [February 2017]: Montenegro: Breaking the stalemate? http://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/special_report/montenegro-breaking-the-stalemate/

EurActiv, 23.03.17: Tillerson urges Senate ratification of Montenegro’s NATO membership http://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/tillerson-urges-senate-ratification-of-montenegros-nato-membership/

EurActiv, 29.03.17: US Senate backs Montenegro’s membership of NATO http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/us-senate-backs-montenegros-membership-of-nato/

Politico, 29.03.17: US Senate votes overwhelmingly to admit Montenegro to NATO http://www.politico.eu/article/us-senate-votes-overwhelmingly-to-admit-montenegro-to-nato/

NATO: Topics: NATO and Montenegro http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49736.htm

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