I know UK wants to join the EU for political reasons. BUT, if the UK pre-empt a strike on Iraq I personally hope the EU rejects them.
BUDAPEST, Jan 3 (Reuters) - The European Union has approved its biggest-ever enlargement, paving the way for 10 candidates to join on May 1, 2004. This year the 15 existing EU parliaments must ratify the accession treaty, while the mainly ex-communist central European newcomers will go to the polls in national referendums, seeking a popular mandate to join the EU. Public support among candidates for EU entry is widespread, but there are pockets of euroscepticism, and not all referendums will be plain sailing. Two other candidates, Romania and Bulgaria, will not join the enlarged EU until 2007. Turkey will begin negotiations in 2005, if it passes a human rights review in December 2004. HUNGARY: Referendum: April 12 Public opinion: Strong 'Yes' support at 70-75 percent, with opposition about 11 percent. Notes: Non-binding, but Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy insists he needs a popular mandate before signing the accession treaty in Athens in late April. SLOVAKIA: Referendum: June 7 (final decision by February) Public opinion: Support for membership is above 70 percent, with the 'No' camp just below 15 percent. Notes: Mandatory binding referendum with at least 50 percent turnout. Lower turnout would render the vote invalid, and a new referendum cannot be held for three years. POLAND: Referendum: June 8, or autumn (to be confirmed) Public opinion: 56 percent likely to vote, 68 percent of whom would back EU entry. Notes: Poland is amending referendum rules to ensure EU entry has clear popular support. But the changes might delay the vote and complicate ratification because a two-thirds majority would be needed in both houses of parliament if voter turnout is below 50 percent. No previous post-communist referendum has had a 50 percent turnout. CZECH REPUBLIC: Referendum: June 15-16 Public opinion: Support looks to have risen above 50 percent, with opposition at about 18 percent. Notes: Binding vote, but no minimum turnout rule. No repeat referendum for at least two years. SLOVENIA: Referendum: First half 2003 (decision expected in January) Public opinion: 'Yes' camp comfortably above 60 percent, with 'No' vote about 23 percent. Notes: Non-binding referendum. ESTONIA: Referendum: Sept 14 Public opinion: Most recent poll shows EU support has jumped to 57 percent, while opposition has dipped to 36 percent. Notes: Referendum will be non-binding, with no minimum turnout requirement. No coordinated anti-EU movement, but critical umbrella group could emerge. No contingency plans yet in the event of a 'No' vote. LATVIA: Referendum: September 20 Public opinion: 'Yes' vote has risen above 46 percent, with opposition steady at close to 36 percent. Notes: Binding referendum with minimum turnout of at least 50 percent. No anti-EU group, but high potential given strong anti-EU sentiment. Analysts have said a 'No' vote would result in a second referendum to coincide with the next general election, due in 2006. LITHUANIA: Referendum: May (date to be confirmed) Public opinion: 'Yes' camp has grown to about 68 percent, with 'No' vote slipping to 19 percent. Notes: Likely to be binding referendum, with simple majority as long as at least 50 percent of voters take part. Opposition comes mainly from small populist parties; foes are more issue-specific than anti-EU. No bar to holding a second vote in the event of a 'No' win, but wording would probably be revised. MALTA: Referendum: early 2003 Public opinion: Probably the most eurosceptic candidate. Polls show a relative majority in favour of accession, but a high percentage of voters remain undecided. Notes: Non-binding vote. Malta is expected to hold a general election next year; anti-EU Labour opposition says, if in power, it would seek alternative partnership with EU instead. CYPRUS: Referendum: None. In the absence of a deal on a U.N. reunification plan, Cyprus's House of Representatives is expected to ratify EU membership, probably by mid-April. In the event of a deal between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, there could be a public vote on March 30 on both reunification and EU entry. Public opinion: Pro-EU support among Greek Cypriots is above 75 percent, with some rural opposition.
