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CP194415626 — FILE - In this March 15, 2017, file photo, Montenegrin sailors stand at the light frigate "Kotor" in the harbour of Bar, Montenegro. Montenegro is set to become NATO‚Äôs newest member after the Senate voted overwhelmingly March 28 to ratify the tiny Balkan nation‚Äôs entry into the alliance. Despite its size, Montenegro bears strategic importance. A former ally of Russia, the country is in the midst of a clash between the West and Moscow over influence in the Balkans. Montenegro will become the 29th member of the alliance and its admission gives NATO a contiguous border along the Adriatic coast. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Senate votes to approve Montenegro’s admission into NATO

March 28 2017 07:10 AM

WASHINGTON – Montenegro is set to become NATO’s newest member after the Senate voted overwhelmingly to ratify the tiny Balkan nation’s entry into the alliance.

Senators on Tuesday approved a resolution of ratification, 97-2.

Despite its small size, Montenegro bears strategic importance. A former ally of Russia, the country is in the midst of a clash between the West and Moscow over influence in the Balkans.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson pressed the Senate earlier this month to act quickly on Montenegro’s admission. He told Senate leaders that the chamber’s approval needed to come ahead of a summit scheduled for May that will include NATO heads of state and government.

Tillerson said the U.S. was one of the last remaining NATO members not to have given Montenegro’s bid full parliamentary approval.