April 11, 2012 – Washington, D.C. – The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) is pleased to announce the creation of the Southeast Europe Coalition (SEEC). In their first joint action, the SEEC called on President Obama to show leadership on NATO enlargement at the upcoming NATO summit in Chicago, by promoting the NATO aspirations of aspirant nations based on their merits. To read the full letter, please click HERE .
The SEEC is a partnership of Diaspora organizations in the U.S. representing different cultures that originate from the region. Formed in conjunction with Secretary Clinton’s Global Diaspora Forum in May 2011, the coalition of organizations hope to contribute to an enhanced American foreign policy that reflects the common goals of their respective ethnic communities in the U.S., within the context of shared American values.
In a letter to the President, the SEEC shared information about Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro, their respective NATO aspirations and the obstacles they face. The letter summarized the desire in each of those three countries for NATO membership, and their dedication to becoming full members of the NATO Alliance. In addition, they urged President Obama to ensure that the door to NATO membership remains open to the countries of Southeast Europe, by first extending membership invitations to Macedonia and Montenegro, as well as Membership Action Plans (MAP) to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia.
American leadership on these issues will advance the democratic security zone in Southeast Europe, which will help enhance regional stability and prosperity. Such leadership will also send a strong signal to other countries in the region that NATO’s door remain open for them, once they have met all the stated requirements. By insisting on a transparent and consistent new membership process, which is based on objective merit and good faith negotiation, regional security will be improved, and NATO’s legitimacy and relevance in the 21st century will also be strengthened.