French and Spanish leaders called on French voters on Tuesday to approve the European Union (EU) constitution in an upcoming national referendum.

In a joint statement, French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and his Spanish counterpart, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, applauded Spain's overwhelming endorsement of the EU constitution last month and "called on all Europeans to be consulted by referendum, notably the French, to vote 'yes' for the constitution."

The two leaders expressed confidence that the document would be adopted by all members.

Zapatero has earlier called for the creation of a powerful Europe in an speech to French legislators.

The continent "must stop being an observer of the international order," he said.

The constitution, designed to modernize the bloc's unwieldy institutions following entries of 10 new members last May, must receive unanimous ratification from all 25 members to become effective.

According to the Spanish Interior Ministry, with 99.8 percent of the votes counted, 76.7 percent supported the constitution, and only 17.3 percent voted against it in the referendum.

Zapatero said he was satisfied with the results, hailing it a "great victory" for both Spain and the EU.

Supporters hope a high turnout in a convincing vote in Spain, the first EU member to vote on the constitution, would help dampen the "no" cries from such countries as Britain and France.

Source: Xinhua