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NATO
Washington, April 11, 2017 (dpa/NAN) U.S President Donald Trump has signed the U.S. agreement of Montenegro to join NATO military alliance, the White House said on Tuesday.
Trump signed the instrument of ratification approved by the U.S. Senate in March to support Montenegro to join the alliance, which must be ratified by its 28 members.
“The Balkan nation will attend the NATO leaders’ summit in Brussels in May, signaling to other NATO aspirants that the door to membership in the Euro-Atlantic community of nations remains open.
“Also, that countries in the Western Balkans are free to choose their own future and select their own partners without outside interference or intimidation,” White House Spokesman Sean Spicer said in a statement.
The U.S would work to strengthen relations with the small Balkan nation, which would be the 29th NATO member.
The eastward expansion of the alliance has been a point of contention for Russia.
“Two of the 28 NATO members, Spain and the Netherlands have yet to ratify Montenegro’s membership,’’ a NATO official said.
NATO said it expects the process to be completed in the next few months.
Trump is to meet with NATO Secretary- General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House on Wednesday.
The U.S. leader has expressed skepticism about the alliance in the past, questioning its role and blasting allies for not paying their fair share. (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Ese E. Ekama