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.
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