LITHUANIA: Lithuanians hoped yesterday their loud Yes to EU entry had woken up apathetic east European neighbours still to hold a referendum, after nine out of 10 voted in favour of joining the Union next year.
The election committee said that with all the votes counted, 91 per cent had voted at the weekend in favour, beating all expectations after naysayers stayed at home to try to invalidate the ballot by keeping turnout under the required 50 per cent.
The huge Yes vote completes the ex-Soviet republic's return to mainstream Europe after more than a decade of reforms and should give a boost to several other candidate countries yet to hold their ballots on EU entry.
Prime Minister Mr Algirdas Brazauskas expected the result to boost pro-EU campaigns in Poland, as well as Baltic neighbours Latvia and Estonia.
"The Lithuanians who didn't vote are of the kind who doubt Lithuania's future and don't really care about anything," he told reporters.
The pro-EU political elite led a frantic campaign urging people to vote, with politicians near panic after lacklustre activity on the first day of voting on Saturday. Fears that apathy could kill the vote lasted well into the final day of voting, but numbers of votes cast jumped around noon on Sunday and ended at around 64 per cent.
The small Baltic country is one of 10 mostly ex-communist states hoping to join the EU, and the fourth hopeful to vote in favour of joining the wealthy bloc after Malta, Slovenia and Hungary all voted Yes earlier this year.
Congratulations from all across Europe poured into Vilnius, and the head of the local European Commission delegation, Mr Michael Graham, was among the first to congratulate Lithuania. "It's a fantastic result," he said.
With the turnout hurdle comfortably passed, celebrations were under way in the capital Vilnius even before the first results came in on Sunday night, with lawmakers enjoying a champagne reception at parliament. Hundreds of Lithuanians rushed out to the streets to toast their "return to Europe". - (Reuters)