French President Jacques Chirac announced on December 31, 2004 that the referendum on the European constitution will be held in France before next summer.

"In 2005, you will have the Europe's future in your hands. I decided that the European constitution would be subject to you through referendum, before summer. You, sovereign people, are invited to choose by yourselves your fate," Chirac said while expressing his wishes broadcast on both radio and television to the French people at the New Year's eve.

He said that it is a choice engaging France's and Europe's future.

"In approving the European constitution, you will make Europe more democratic, more voluntary, more powerful. You will make it capable of more rapid economic and social progress. And you will enable France to further weigh in the Union," he said.

In his New Year speech, Chirac also invited his government in the coming year to do all for growth, to continue increasing the minimum salaries and support purchasing power and to continue to cut down income taxes as well as other charges.

Source: Xinhua