EU's non-euro eastern bloc warns of new referendum wave

(BRUSSELS) - Seven non-eurozone eastern European EU states warned on Monday that they could force new referendums on bloc membership if treaties are changed to develop closer eurozone fiscal union.

Diplomatic sources told AFP that Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania, which joined the European Union between 2004 and 2007, are concerned about an obligation to attain euro adoption under the terms of their adhesion.

The eurozone they thought they were seeking to enter would be a very different union, of much closer fiscal, economic and political convergence, as opposed to just being a monetary club, they indicated.

"All seven countries agree to state that a change in the eurozone's legal status could change the conditions of their adhesion treaties," which "could force them to stage new referendums," said a diplomatic source close to the talks.

They also demanded that those non-euro countries that want to engage with normally closed eurozone talks "on the possible reforms" be entitled to do so.

The leaders of France and Germany have suggested treaty change may be required, in order to ensure closer supervision of weaker eurozone economies in response to market pressures following the sovereign and banking debt crises.

Top analysts, celebrity economists and former national leaders have also seized on the debate to demand a leap towards a more federal EU closer to a "United States of Europe."

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said last week that a more distant relationship with the EU could now be in London's interests. Britain already has an opt-out that does not require it to join the euro.

Going even further, a senior minister in nationalist majority-governed Scotland has said it may look to retain only membership of the European Free Trade Association, which enjoys access to the EU's single market but not other political constraints, following its planned referendum on independence.