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11/26/06

swissinfo - Merits of Swiss contribution to eastern Europe win the day

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Merits of funds for eastern Europe win the dayAdd story to my swissinfo panel

Sunday's "yes" vote to a SFr1 billion ($800 million) Swiss contribution to the ten new members of the European Union reveals more pragmatism than real enthusiasm. While rightwing opponents were licking their wounds over another failure on an EU issue, those in favour of helping mainly eastern European countries over the next ten years said voters had recognised the advantages of the deal. Voters accepted the contribution in a referendum with a 53.4 per cent majority, with 14 cantons voting in favour and nine against.

Despite the narrowness of the margin, Euro-MP Diana Wallis - who chairs the committee for relations with Switzerland - told swissinfo she saw it as a "positive result".

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