But the margin dropped in recent days after both Finland and Sweden approved membership in their own referendums.

For months polls had placed the no vote well ahead, but the margin narrowed after Sweden approved membership in a referendum on Nov. 13.

Regarding the reports of the factfinding missions, the Bureau meeting decided to suggest the next Conference to approve membership for the Vietnam Socialist Party.

Even if a particular country technically qualifies, the 16 NATO members must unanimously approve membership.

The Assembly is expected to approve membership next week.

Administrators provide oversight to the content and approve membership of users.

It is by no means clear that a referendum would approve membership.

Britain - after being vetoed in the 60's by Charles de Gaulle - signed up in 1973, and its citizens passed a referendum approving membership two years later.

Ireland is the most pro-European EU member state according to a Eurobarometer poll, with 66% of the population approving membership.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization said yesterday that it had approved membership for Cuba, which the country had been seeking for several years.