LJUBLJANA, Jan 29 (Hina) - Slovenia's foreign minister on Wednesday warned members of parliament to intesify efforts aimed at organising a referendum on the country's admission to NATO, or the Slovene membership in the alliance would
become questionable.
LJUBLJANA, Jan 29 (Hina) - Slovenia's foreign minister on Wednesday
warned members of parliament to intesify efforts aimed at
organising a referendum on the country's admission to NATO, or the
Slovene membership in the alliance would become questionable. #L#
"If the referendum is called after 26 March, when candidate-
countries are to sign admission protocols, the process of the
ratification of the protocol in member-states will be slowed down,
and one of them has warned us this could have a negative effect on
our relations with NATO," Minister Dimitrij Rupel said.
He urged that the referendum be held on 23 March, as proposed by the
government of Prime Minister Antun Rop.
Opposition and ruling parties are trying to reach agreement on the
form and date of the referendum, to make it as consensual and
binding as possible. Slovenia is the only one from a group of
countries recently invited to join NATO which has decided to ask
citizens to decide on the matter at a referendum.
(hina) ms sb