Prague 21 November 2002

Statement by Davíð Oddsson , Prime Minister of Iceland Enlargement of the Alliance NATO, the most successful alliance of all times, a fortress of peace and democracy for its members for half a century, has in recent years faced an unexpected question. Have all its aims been achieved, has the final victory been won, is its future forum a place of honour on the shelf of history? At this meeting the question is answered decisively: All European nations that long for peace and security and have made democracy the fundamental principle of their form of government can rely on NATO to champion their cause in the future. This answer is a great triumph for the ideals that the Alliance is designed to defend.