Celebrations as Lithuania votes to join EU

Lithuanians have voted to join the European Union in a national referendum, making the Baltic country the first ex-Soviet republic to vote itself into the expanding bloc.

With 1,969 of the country’s 2,040 districts counted, or 97%, yesterday, election officials said unofficial returns showed 91% voted in favour of joining, while 9% voted ”No”.

Pro-EU politicians and residents celebrated with champagne toasts, singing the country’s national anthem and fireworks in the skies above the capital, Vilnius.