Czechs celebrate return to West after vote to join EU
Fireworks illuminated the sky over Prague Castle on Saturday evening after the Cezchs opted to take part in the largest expansion in the organisation's history next year.
"This is a victory for the people," said Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla. "For me this is the end of World War II, with all its consequences."
Final results after the two-day referendum showed that 77.33 percent of voters approved the measure, while 22.67 voted no. The turnout was 55.21 percent.
At a post-referendum celebration held by a pro-EU organisation Yes for Europe one of the group's co-founders, Slavomil Hubalek, said Czechs had decided conclusively to "become part of Western, Christian culture" and not part of the east.
"The 1989 anti-communist revolution has really ended only now," said Hubalek, a 56-year-old psychologist.
Those in attendance at the party paid tribute to Vaclav Havel, the former president and anti-communist dissident, by chanting "Long live Havel!"
Mr Havel, a key figure in the "Velvet Revolution," which toppled communism in the country , had spoken out energetically in favour of membership.
In Brussels, the EU Commission praised the outcome of the vote.
"This is a good day for Europe, another proof that our peoples belong together," said commission president Romano Prodi.
The victory came after a lacklustre campaign that nonetheless persuaded Czechs that joining the EU would bring economic benefits.
Detractors had argued that the country, which was under Soviet control until 1989 and split from Slovakia in 1993, wasn't ready to hand over its sovereignty.
"Welcome on board the Titanic," political analyst, said Jefim Fistejn, when asked how he viewed the country's future in the trade bloc.
Mr Fistejn predicted social unrest and frequent strikes will result from government attempts to push through painful reforms needed to meet EU requirements and to reduce the soaring public debt.
The binding referendum, held on Friday and Saturday, was the first ever held in the Czech Republic.
But with more than half of the country's eligible voters taking part, Spidla's government could claim a public mandate for the tough reforms needed for membership.
Spidla enjoys a fragile majority of only one vote in the 200-seat lower chamber of parliament.
So far Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia have backed joining the EU in referenda. Latvia and Estonia will hold referendums in September.
Of the 10 candidate states, only Cyprus has decided not to hold a vote on membership.
