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One step closer to an enlarged NATO
All 19 NATO member countries have now ratified the accession protocols,
which will permit seven new countries to become parties to the North
Atlantic Treaty and members of NATO.
The accession protocols were signed in Brussels on 26 March 2003. Once
ratified by all 19 NATO member countries have deposited their instruments
of ratification with the United States State Department (which is the
depository of the North Atlantic Treaty) the Secretary General will invite,
on behalf of the North Atlantic Council - Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia - to accede to the North Atlantic
Treaty.
They then become parties to the Treaty by depositing their instruments
of accession with the United States State Department.
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