FRENCH SAID “NO” TO EU CONSTITUTION

55% of the French voted against the European Union Constitution “French voters had made their sovereign decision, and I note it. However the French “No” vote throws a wrench into plans for closer European integration. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said, “Leaders need to do more to explain the true dimension of what is at stake, and the nature of the solutions which only Europe can bring. There will be time for that debate, of course, but I think one thing is sure: we should, together, try to put Europe back on track again.” The Constitution is to be adopted by all 25 EU states and a referendum will be held in 8 countries. The Wednesday’s referendum in Netherlands is expected to result in a “no” vote. According to Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, French “no” will not affect the negotiations on Turkey’s accession to the EU. “The referendum results refer to the French society but not Turkey. No legislative or civic changes in any EU state can tell on Turkey’s EU membership talks”, the Turkish FM assured, FRE/RL reports.