PARIS, May 29 (Xinhuanet) -- France started on Sunday a referendum on the European Union (EU) Constitution which needs approval from all the 25 members of the bloc.

    The following are the procedures of the 25 EU members, either by parliamentary approval or a popular vote, for the ratification of the EU Constitution.

    Germany: Approved by Bundestag, or lower house of the parliament, on May 12 and by Bundesrat, the upper house, on May 27.

    Austria: Approved by Nationalrat, or lower house of the parliament, on May 11 and by Bundesrat, the upper house, on May 25.

    Belgium: Approved by Senate, the upper house of parliament, on April 28 and by Chamber, the lower house, on May 19, while voting of regional parliamentary assemblies are expected at the end of May.

    Cyprus: Referendum ruled out. Approval by Chamber deferred to June 30, 2005.

    Denmark: Referendum planned on Sept. 27, 2005.

    Spain: Parliamentary approval plus consultative referendum. Approved by Congress on April 28 and by Senate on May 18. Referendum held on Feb. 20, 2005 with 76.7 percent of votes for "Yes."

    Estonia: Parliamentary approval (referendum unlikely), time table not set.

    Finland: Parliamentary approval. Ratification Bill to be tabled in fall of 2005 and ratification to be envisaged in late 2005 or early 2006.

    France: Referendum held on May 29.

    Greece: Approved by Parliament on April 19.

    Hungary: Approved by Parliament on Dec. 20, 2004.

    Ireland: Parliamentary approval plus Referendum. Date of referendum not announced.

    Italy: Parliamentary approval. Approved by Chamber on Jan. 25 and by Senate on April 6.

    Latvia: Parliamentary approval. Ratification to be envisaged for June 2005.

    Lithuania: Parliamentary approval. Approved by Parliament on Nov. 11, 2004.

    Luxembourg: Parliamentary approval (two votes) plus consultative referendum. First vote in Chamber due in mid-June; referendum scheduled for July 10, 2005; second vote in Chamber after the referendum.

    Malta: Parliamentary approval expected in July 2005.

    Netherlands: Parliamentary approval (First and Second Chambers) plus consultative referendum. Referendum due on June 1, 2005.

    Poland: No final decision yet but a referendum is probable. If a referendum is to be held, it could be on Oct. 9, 2005 at same time as Presidential election.

    Portugal: Referendum, possibly to be held on Oct. 2 or Oct. 9, 2005 at same time as local elections.

    Czech Republic: No final decision made.

    Britain: Parliamentary (House of Commons and House of Lords) approval plus referendum, ratification expected in early 2006.

    Slovenia: Approved by Parliament on Feb. 1.

    Slovakia: Approved by Parliament on May 11.

    Sweden: Parliamentary approval. Presentation to Parliament due in summer of 2005 while a final vote could take place in December.  Enditem