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On 11 April 2003, after hour and a half long debates, the Norwegian Parliament (Storting) unanimously ratified NATO Accession Protocols of the seven invited countries, including Latvia, thereby expressing support for the admission of new countries to the Alliance. At the debates, clearly marked by positive attitudes toward NATO enlargement, it was pointed out that the admission of the seven countries to NATO would help ensure security and peace in the Euro-Atlantic area, which is already demonstrated by the current contribution of the invitees. Special appreciation was expressed for the commitment of the seven countries to combat terrorism. Several deputies voiced particular support for the accession to NATO of their closest neighbours âÀ“ the Baltic States. Norway is the first country whose Parliament has ratified the Accession Protocols of the seven invited countries âÀ“ Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Canada ratified the Accession Protocols as soon as 28 March of this year, where in accordance with the national legislation accession of new countries to NATO is not ratified by the Parliament but is instead endorsed by CanadaâÀ™s Prime Minister. (end of text)
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