Estonians voted Sunday in a referendum on whether their nation should join the European Union

Estonians voted massively in favour of joining the European Union in a referendum yesterday. Ahead of the vote, pro-EU advertisements lined streets across the state. Referendums in Estonia and in next-door Latvia on Sept. 20 are expected to pass, though not by the 91 percent margin of the May vote in the third Baltic state, Lithuania. Estonians and Latvians started out skeptical of the European Union and, until recently, it seemed they could snub the bloc. But the government and businesses eager for seamless access to EU markets have pulled out the stops and the campaign cash to ensure victory. The national carrier, Estonian Air, is even offering "Yes Fares" tickets to London and Paris at 60 percent off. Estonia and Latvia are the last of the 10 EU invitees to hold votes on membership. Seven already approved theirs, and in Cyprus lawmakers are deciding. All are expected to become members in May 2004.