WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after the Obama Administration announced its support for an invitation for Montenegro to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Murphy is the Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism.

“I strongly support the Obama administration’s decision to support Montenegro’s formal membership in NATO. As I have long argued, Montenegro’s accession would serve as a check against Russian aggression in the region, eliminate a strategic gap along the Adriatic Coast, and solidify democratic reforms within their borders,” said Murphy. “For over half a century, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has protected the rights and interests of the United States and our allies. It is my strong belief that the addition of Montenegro to its ranks would strengthen NATO as we move further into the 21st century.”