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21/10/2002
Irish 'Yes' to Nice Treaty gives EU enlargement go ahead
Ireland went to the polls on Saturday for a rerun of what has been a bitterly contested campaign over the Nice Treaty for EU enlargement.
In a complete turnaround from the June 2001 vote, Ireland backed the treaty with an overwhelming 62% - which represented a 16% swing from last year's rejection.
The result now means that European enlargement can now ahead, with the first draft of new countries coming into the EU in 2004 – the year of Ireland's presidency of the body.
Speaking after Saturday's vote, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said: "I warmly welcome this extremely important decision of the Irish people.
"Our decision shows we remain strongly committed to the European Union, that we fully realize and accept that what is good for the people of Europe is good for the people of Ireland. But this decision shows above all that as a nation we want to welcome the peoples of the applicant countries into the Union with open hearts as well as open minds.
"The country has come through a very hard fought campaign where strong feelings have been expressed on both sides. I made it clear throughout the campaign that I believed it was absolutely critical for Irelands future that the people give the green light to enlargement. I am happy today that their decision was so decisive."
Mr Ahern will attend the European Council meeting in Brussels at the end of the week, which will be mostly devoted to the enlargement of the European Union.
The SDLP's former finance minister, Sean Farren, welcomed the results as a "very positive outcome".
"Enlargement means membership of the EU for 10 states that were formerly ruled by communist dictators," he said.
"They will be able to participate in the world's greatest democratic union of free states. It marks the final destruction of the divisions represented by the Berlin Wall.
He added: "The referendum results has shown that the majority of the Irish people reject selfish and inward looking attitudes."
Dr Farren also called on Northern Ireland to develop trading links so as not to lose new opportunities presented by the newly enlarged market.
The candidate countries which will go forward for membership are: Cyprus; Malta; Estonia; Latvia; Lithuania; Hungary; Poland; Czech Republic; Slovakia; and Slovenia.
(GMcG)
In a complete turnaround from the June 2001 vote, Ireland backed the treaty with an overwhelming 62% - which represented a 16% swing from last year's rejection.
The result now means that European enlargement can now ahead, with the first draft of new countries coming into the EU in 2004 – the year of Ireland's presidency of the body.
Speaking after Saturday's vote, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said: "I warmly welcome this extremely important decision of the Irish people.
"Our decision shows we remain strongly committed to the European Union, that we fully realize and accept that what is good for the people of Europe is good for the people of Ireland. But this decision shows above all that as a nation we want to welcome the peoples of the applicant countries into the Union with open hearts as well as open minds.
"The country has come through a very hard fought campaign where strong feelings have been expressed on both sides. I made it clear throughout the campaign that I believed it was absolutely critical for Irelands future that the people give the green light to enlargement. I am happy today that their decision was so decisive."
Mr Ahern will attend the European Council meeting in Brussels at the end of the week, which will be mostly devoted to the enlargement of the European Union.
The SDLP's former finance minister, Sean Farren, welcomed the results as a "very positive outcome".
"Enlargement means membership of the EU for 10 states that were formerly ruled by communist dictators," he said.
"They will be able to participate in the world's greatest democratic union of free states. It marks the final destruction of the divisions represented by the Berlin Wall.
He added: "The referendum results has shown that the majority of the Irish people reject selfish and inward looking attitudes."
Dr Farren also called on Northern Ireland to develop trading links so as not to lose new opportunities presented by the newly enlarged market.
The candidate countries which will go forward for membership are: Cyprus; Malta; Estonia; Latvia; Lithuania; Hungary; Poland; Czech Republic; Slovakia; and Slovenia.
(GMcG)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
