| Author (Person) | Cronin, David |
|---|---|
| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.9, No.29, 11.9.03, p2 |
| Publication Date | 11/09/2003 |
| Content Type | News |
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Date: 11/09/03 By David Cronin Estonian voters are poised to endorse joining the EU this Sunday (14 September) with latest opinion polls putting support for membership at around 70% in the Baltic state. But it has not been a entirely smooth ride for the 'Yes' side. A train extolling the virtues of EU membership was almost derailed yesterday at Laanemaa, in the west of the country, after hitting a 7km stretch of nails on the track. A spokesman for the 'Yes' camp said they suspected it was the work of extremists. Police said they are treating the incident as terrorism; however, claims that anti-EU extremists were to blame was conjecture, they added. Earlier this week, the Tallinn government warned that the referendum's defeat would deprive the country of almost €90 million in EU assistance next year. "Should the EU subsidies be lost, Estonia will have only two alternatives - either to look for new revenues, such as by raising taxes, or cut the state's expenses even further," Tonis Palts, the finance minister, warned. Estonia is the eighth of nine incoming EU states to hold a referendum on membership. The final poll will take place in Latvia on 20 September. Of the ten states due to join the Union next year, only Cyprus has decided not to consult its electorate in a referendum. Estonians are expected to take their country into the EU when they vote on the country's membership in a referendum on 14 September 2003. |
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| Countries / Regions | Estonia |
