Nod for EU was expected but support for Nato had been uncertain because of Iraq crisis
Published:
25 March 2003 y., Tuesday
Slovenians have voted to join both Nato and the European Union (EU) in a legally binding twin referendum.
Nato won 66 per cent support, better than expected amid doubts over the Iraq crisis, and EU membership was favoured by 90 per cent of voters, according to preliminary results with more than 99 per cent of ballots counted. The turnout was 60 per cent.
Both the EU and Nato welcomed the news, which comes at a time of divisions over Iraq between pro-US and anti-war camps that have left both sides in disarray.
'I welcome the vote of confidence Slovenians have given Nato, and also their willingness to accept the obligations of membership,' said Nato Secretary-General George Robertson.
EU accession had been widely tipped for approval, but support for joining the North Atlantic military alliance remained uncertain until the end, as voters wavered between dislike of the war against Iraq and renewed fears of Balkan instability after the assassination of Serbia's prime minister.
Nato hopes to conclude membership negotiations with Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia tomorrow with the signing of accession protocols. All are expected to become members in May next year.
Šaltinis:
straitstimes.asia1.com.sg
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
This Saturday, 24 April, the Carlos de Amberes Foundation is hosting two conferences of European experts on the environment and sustainability and immigration policies in the EU, organised by the Allianz Cultural Foundation in the context of the Allianz Alumni Academy.
more »
The Trident-Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai to reopen, following renovations after militant attacks in 2008
more »
Fresh from their wedding in Jamaica, British tourists Siobhan and David Monteith never thought for a minute that a volcano would interrupt their honeymoon.
more »
The streets of Manila filled with a colourful display on wheels, just days before the world celebrates Earth Day’s 40th anniversary.
more »
Tens of thousands of Ugandans flocked to the hilltop palace of Africa’s youngest tribal ruler for two days of noisy parties marking a decade in power for the 18-year-old king.
more »
Colourful warriors leap across the stage at the 6th annual Songjiang Battle Array, in Neimen, southern Taiwan.
more »
Consumers benefit from greater use of European product safety alert system and more effective market surveillance.
more »
Representatives from all Member States are gathering for two days in Zaragoza from 15 to 16 April to discuss how migrant integration can become a driver for social cohesion in the EU.
more »
The much heralded "citizens initiative" to change EU laws has been given a cautious welcome by MEPs. Under the scheme - a major innovation of the Lisbon treaty - a million people can back a plan to introduce European legislation.
more »
Football shares Europe's values of integration, solidarity and social inclusion, and can play a significant role in helping the EU to promote them, especially at the local level where clubs are part of their local communities.
more »