Latvians vote overwhelmingly to join EU

THE biggest ever enlargement of the EU is finally on track after the last of the 10 new members, Latvia, voting overwhelmingly in favour of joining the community this weekend.

The admission of the ten (eight former USSR countries, Cyprus and Malta) will be marked officially with a celebration in Dublin on May 1 next when Ireland has the EU presidency.

European Parliament president Pat Cox sent a message of congratulations to the Latvians yesterday after 67% voted Yes. It was delivered by Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga and said simply, “Hello Latvia. Welcome back to your true home in Europe.” Latvia is the poorest of the new member states with an average monthly income of less than 300. It is also one of the most euro-sceptic, with a third of its population Russian nationals.