BRUSSELS, Feb. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Barroso extended warm applause on Sunday to the result of Spanish referendum on European Union (EU) Constitution.

    "The European Commission welcomes the very clear yes which Spain has given to a Europe which moves forward and which makes a difference, a Europe united in diversity," said Barroso in a written statement.

    The boss of the EU's executive arm praised the votes of having sent a "strong signal" to other European citizens who will give their view on the EU Constitution in the near future.

    "With this referendum, Spaniards have been the first Europeans to have implanted decisively a true European consciousness," he added.

    In a referendum held earlier Sunday, Spaniards voted 76.7 percent in favor of the EU Constitution, according to a primary official report released earlier on the day. Enditem