HRES 1246
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in support of the integration of Kosovo into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
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Bill overview
This resolution expresses the House of Representatives’ support for Kosovo’s integration into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It highlights concerns about the growing influence of Russia and China in the Western Balkans and emphasizes Kosovo’s commitment to democracy and its aspirations for NATO membership. The resolution urges NATO members to support Kosovo’s progress toward full integration and outlines a pathway for this process.
Key provisions
- The House supports Kosovo’s full integration into NATO as a priority for U.S. national security interests in Southeastern Europe.
- The U.S. is concerned about the activities of Russia, China, and other actors threatening U.S. interests in the region.
- The U.S. strongly supports Kosovo’s sovereignty and independence.
- The U.S. encourages Kosovo’s continued progress toward NATO integration.
- The U.S. should support the modernization of Kosovo’s security forces.
- The U.S. urges NATO members (Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain) to reconsider their positions on Kosovo’s sovereignty.
- The pathway to NATO membership should include Partnership for Peace, Membership Action Plan, and full admission.
- The U.S. will actively advocate for Kosovo’s inclusion in NATO programs and engage in diplomatic efforts to encourage recognition.
Who is affected
- Kosovo
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- United States
- Serbia
- Russia
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. RES. 1246
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in support of the integration of Kosovo into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO
) has served as the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security since its founding in 1949, preserving peace and stability through collective defense under article 5 of the Washington Treaty;
Whereas NATO enlargement has historically strengthened the Alliance by incorporating nations committed to democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law, consistent with article 10 of the Washington Treaty;
Whereas the Western Balkans remain one of the final regions of Europe in which several states have not integrated into NATO, leaving a strategic gap that adversaries of the United States and allies of such adversaries seek to exploit;
Whereas the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, and other malign actors have expanded their political, economic, and paramilitary influence across the Western Balkans, posing a direct threat to the security of United States forces stationed in the region and to the broader strategic interests of the United States in Southeastern Europe;
Whereas Kosovo declared independence on February 17, 2008, and has since been recognized by over 100 countries, including the United States and a majority of NATO member states;
Whereas Kosovo has demonstrated its commitment to democratic governance, civilian oversight of security forces, and multiethnic coexistence, and has actively sought closer integration with NATO;
Whereas the Partnership for Peace and the Membership Action Plan have served as effective and proven pathways for aspiring NATO members to undertake the political, military, and institutional reforms necessary for full Alliance membership; and
Whereas the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, while a worthwhile diplomatic objective, should not be treated as a prerequisite for Kosovo's progress toward NATO membership: Now, therefore, be it
That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that—
NATO) is a priority for the national security interests of the United States in Southeastern Europe;
the United States is deeply concerned with the growing malign activities of the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, and other malign actors in the Western Balkans, and the threat these pose to the security of United States forces stationed in the region and to the strategic interests of the United States in Southeastern Europe;
the United States strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kosovo as a democratic, multiethnic state, and reaffirms its recognition of Kosovo’s independence;
the United States strongly supports Kosovo’s aspirations as a democratic, multiethnic state, and encourages Kosovo’s continued progress toward integration into NATO;
the United States should continue and deepen its support for the modernization of the Kosovo Security Force, the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, and other relevant security organs of the Kosovo state, in order to strengthen Kosovo’s capacity for self-defense and interoperability with NATO forces;
the United States urges the remaining 4 non-recognizing member states of NATO, namely Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain, to amend their positions on Kosovo’s sovereignty, so as to allow Kosovo to formally commence movement toward integration into NATO;
the pathway toward Kosovo’s full NATO membership should proceed through sequential steps, including—
Kosovo’s inclusion in the NATO Partnership for Peace program;
Kosovo’s admission into the NATO Membership Action Plan; and
Kosovo’s full admission into NATO as a member state; and
it is the policy of the United States to—
actively advocate within NATO for Kosovo’s inclusion in the Partnership for Peace and the Membership Action Plan;
engage diplomatically with non-recognizing NATO member states to encourage recognition of Kosovo’s sovereignty; and
continue security assistance and capacity-building efforts with Kosovo’s security and intelligence institutions.