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Swiss vote to ditch border checks
The Swiss have given a vote of confidence to the shaken European Union, approving participation in an EU system ending passport checks at the country's border. In a two-issue referendum on Sunday, a majority also voted in favour of granting more rights to same-sex couples in the first time the subject has been put to a national vote in Europe. About 55% of voters, or 1.47 million people, supported joining Europe's passport-free Schengen zone by 2007, indicating the Swiss favour closer integration with the EU, of which the country is not a member.Swiss President Samuel Schmid hailed the result as backing for the coalition government's policy of developing closer links with the rest of Europe, but said it would not ignore the large minority that voted against Schengen membership Posted by: Fred 2005-06-06 |
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