French voters urged to vote for EU Constitution

Senior European Union (EU) officials urged French voters on Saturday to vote in favor of the EU Constitution during a referendum scheduled for May 29.

Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, told a press conference the referendum is a "decisive ballot" and a vote against the constitution would bring about serious consequences.

Speaking at the end of a two-day informal meeting of EU foreign ministers here, Asselborn said: "When French people vote they will not think only of France ... I am not convinced that for domestic political reasons they will say 'no' at this crucial moment for Europe in the 21st century," he stressed.

Latest surveys in France indicate that 56 percent of French voters oppose the EU Constitution.

EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner stressed the importance of putting into place the new constitution.

"We need this constitution, because it will allow Europe to play a solid role in the world," she said.

The constitution, signed five months ago by EU leaders, introduces structural reforms to ensure smooth running of the enlarged bloc and strengthens its common foreign and security policy. It has to be ratified by all 25 member states to take effect.

Source: Xinhua