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On 2 December 2003, the Parliament of Iceland (Althingi) endorsed the Accession Protocols to the North-Atlantic Treaty of the seven countries invited to join the Alliance. Addressing the parliament, Iceland's Minister of Foreign Affairs Halldor Asgrimsson emphasized that the government has always supported the enlargement of the Alliance whose principal aim is to ensure stability and security in Europe. The law on the ratification of the accession protocols was adopted by a convincing majority: of a total of 63 Parliament members, 55 voted for, nobody voted against, and 5 abstained. It will enter into force after it is signed by the President of Iceland. Iceland is the 16th NATO member state to ratify NATO Accession Protocols. The protocols still need to be ratified by France and Spain.
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