Austrians welcome EU with open arms

VIENNA - Austrians voted overwhelmingly yesterday in favour of joining the European Union on 1 January next year. With more than half the referendum votes counted, 66.4 per cent voted to join. A 'yes' vote had been widely expected, but many had thought it would be close.

Alois Mock, the Foreign Minister, said he was delighted Austrians had chosen to 'engage in the building of a new Europe' rather than remaining outside, powerless to influence decisions which would also affect their future.

The huge 'yes' vote here is likely to boost the struggling pro-EU campaigns in Sweden, Norway and Finland, which will hold referendums on the same issue later in the year.

Joy at accession, page 8