Communication to the Senate on the Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden
To the U.S. Senate:
I hereby submit, for the Council’s advice and consent to its ratification, the Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the accession of the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden (the “Protocols”). The Protocol was signed in Brussels on 5 July 2022, on behalf of the United States and the other parties to the North Atlantic Treaty. An overview of the minutes from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is also transmitted for the Senate’s information. Full ratification of the Protocols will enable Finland and Sweden to become parties to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which describes NATO’s open door policy, is part of the Alliance’s doctrinal basis. It states that unanimous allies can invite all other European states that are able to promote the principles of the Treaty and contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area to join. As further explained in the reports on Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to NATO, submitted to Congress on 19 May and 1 July 2022, in the light of section 3 (2) (E) of the resolution on advice and consent to ratification of the Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty from 1949 on the accession of Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic of 30 April 1998, Finland and Sweden meet more than these qualifications. They will be net contributors to the Alliance, both in terms of capacity and resources, and they share critically important values with the United States. The accession of Finland and Sweden will help to promote US priorities within NATO.
I ask the Senate to continue working with my administration to promote a strong and free Europe by giving its swift advice and consent to the ratification of the Protocols. We encourage all allies to act swiftly in their own ratification processes, given current global considerations. My administration is ready to inform and help you in your deliberations.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
WHITE HOUSE,
11 July 2022.