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Bereta_Eder
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Czechs Vote to Join European Union
Sun Jun 15, 4:49 AM ET
By VANESSA GERA, Associated Press Writer
PRAGUE, Czech Republic - Czechs voted overwhelmingly to join the European Union (news - web sites) in a referendum that ended Saturday, a move that supporters said would bring a definite end to isolation brought on by decades of communist rule.
AP Photo
Reuters
Slideshow: Czech Republic
Final results from two days of voting showed that 77.33 percent of voters approving joining the union, while 22.67 voted "no," according to the state Statistical Office, which handles the vote count. Turnout was 55.21 percent.
The vote opens the way for the Central European nation to be part of the largest expansion in the union's history next May, when 10 new members are due to join the 15-member bloc.
"This is a victory for the Czech people," Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla, an enthusiastic EU supporter, told reporters after polls closed Saturday.
"The Czech Republic will ... be part of a family of European nations and exercise its right to live on equal footing with others," Spidla added, alluding to fears that Czech interests could be overshadowed by those of the larger members of the EU, such as Germany.
Echoing Spidla's enthusiasm, Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda said the vote marked "the conclusion of an era of our history following the fall of the totalitarian regime."
Many Czechs believe joining the EU will bring long-term economic benefits and raise living standards for future generations.
"I voted yes because things can't get worse than they are now," said Jiri Ruzicka, a 38-year-old pub owner, after casting his ballott in Prague on Saturday.
Some, however, had argued that the country — which overthrew communist rule in 1989 and split from Slovakia in 1993 — isn't yet ready to hand over its fate to an outside power. Some fear costs could soar after joining the EU.
So far Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia have backed joining the EU in referendums. Latvia and Estonia will hold referendums in September. Of the 10 candidate states, only Cyprus has decided not to hold a vote on membership.
In Brussels, Belgium, the EU Commission praised the outcome of the Czech vote, calling it a decision "to end decades of divisions and achieve peace, stability and prosperity on our continent."
"This is a good day for Europe, another proof that our peoples belong together," Romano Prodi, the commission's president, said in the statement.
The binding referendum, held on Friday and Saturday, was the first ever held in the Czech Republic and had no turnout requirement.
But turnout lower than 50 percent would have been an embarrassment to Spidla, and could have deprived his Cabinet of the support it will need to push through tough reforms needed for membership.
"It (the vote) is also a victory and a great success for the government," Svoboda, the foreign minister, said.
Spidla enjoys only a fragile majority — one vote — in the 200-seat lower chamber of Parliament. The Cabinet, formed by the left-leaning Social Democrats and two smaller center-right parties, has declared EU membership to be its main goal.
InDeep
Last Night A DJ Saved My Life
Last night a DJ saved my life
Last night a DJ saved my life yeah
Cause I was sitting there bored to death
and in just one breath he said
You gotta get up you gotta get on you gotta get down girl
You know you drive me crazy baby
You've got me turning to another man
Called you on the phone
No one's home
Baby why leave me all alone
And if it wasn't for the music
I don't know what I'd do yeah
Last night a DJ saved my life
Last night a DJ saved my life from a broken heart
Last night a DJ saved my life
Last night a DJ saved my life with a song
You know I hopped into my car didn't get very far no
Before I had you on my mind why be so unkind
You've got your women all around
All around this town
But I was trapped in love with you
And I didn't know what to do
But when I turned on my radio
I found out all I needed to know
Check it out
Last night a DJ saved my life
Last night a DJ saved my life from a broken heart
Last night a DJ saved my life
Last night a DJ saved my life with a song
Last night a DJ saved my life
Last night a DJ saved my life from a broken heart
Last night a DJ saved my life
Last night a DJ saved my life with a song
Hey listen up to your local DJ
You better hear what he's got to say
There's not a problem that I can't fix
Cause I can do it in the mix
And if your man gives you trouble
just you move out on the double
And don't let it trouble your brain
Cause way goes trouble down the drain
said way goes trouble down the drain
Well alright
Dub time
Last night a DJ saved my life (echoey!!)
There's not a problem that I can't fix
Cause I can do it in the mix
Cause I can do it in the mix
In the mix
In the mix
In the mix
In the mix
In the mix
In the mix
In the mix
In the mix
In the mix
In the mix
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Cruddy
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Oh. Does this mean Czech Bud will be cheaper? If so I'm all for it.
If not I suppose better get on the Brit Booze tour to Prague (just think Paiktis, every Brit that goes Czech is one less that goes Greek).
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Bereta_Eder
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Τσεχία
Tsehia
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Bereta_Eder
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quote:
Originally posted by Q Cubed
are they going to join the euro zone?
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Unless I'm mistaken all new 10 EU members will join the eurozone.
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Q Cubed
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t3h y3ll0w p3ril
Apr 1999
time: 23:29
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eh, the largest cities in russia lie in europe, as does the focus of the nation, as does most of the population.
thus, i'd say it's part of europe, politically.
in contrast, the largest city in turkey is split between europe and asia, the focus is split between europe and asia, and most of the population lies in asia. as does the capital.
thus, it's asian, not european.
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17-06-2003 19:22
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