PARIS, Feb. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- French President Jacques Chirac on Sunday hailed Spaniards' overwhelming endorsement of the European Union (EU) constitution in a referendum, saying it shows the way for other EU countries.

    In a message to Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Chirac offered his "warmest congratulations on the success of the referendum."

    "This 'Yes' of the people of Spain to the constitution and to Europe is a strong symbol and it shows the way to the other countries that will ratify this treaty in the coming months," Chirac said in the message released by his office.

    He said his country will hold a referendum on the treaty beforesummer.

    French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin also said the vote in Spain has sent a clear signal that people are confident about Europe's future.

    But Foreign Minister Michel Barnier pointed out that the low turnout in Spain's referendum, which is 42 percent, is a lesson other European nations should learn from.

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

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