PARIS, May 18 (Xinhuanet) -- European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso called on the French people on Wednesday to vote "yes" at the May 29 referendum on the European constitution.

    "I launch a call for a 'yes' in the name of the values that are values of France and Europe," Barroso said at the French private radio Europe 1, calling for a "sign of confidence" of the French to have "a strong Europe".

    "Everyone will be watching the result of the referendum in France, in Europe and beyond. If, unfortunately, the no were to prevail, that would be perceived as a weakness, for France and for Europe," Barroso said.

    "The responsibility of the French's vote is very big," he said, adding that a French "no" vote would mean "bad news for the economy, both in France and Europe".

    He also dismissed the idea of a "plan B" should voters reject the treaty, a concept seized upon in recent days by opponents of the constitution as proof that the treaty could be renegotiated in France's favor.

    Barroso said "I don't think that the majority of EU countries are ready to renegotiate. Frankly, that's not an option."

    The EU Constitution must be approved by all the 25 EU member states and aims at simplifying decision-making in the European Union following last year's expansion of the bloc to the post-communist east and the Mediterranean. Enditem