The European Union (EU) summit agreed here on Thursday night to continue the ratification process of the EU constitution, but extend the deadline to no fixed date.

Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, whose country is holding the EU presidency, announced the decision after a lengthy debate by the EU leaders.

"We believe that the constitutional treaty has the answers to many questions that Europeans are asking, so we believe the ratification process must continue, and there should be no re- negotiation for the constitution," Juncker told a press conference.

He said all EU member states, including those that have gone through the ratification process and those that have not yet done so, should take a period for "debate" and "reflection".

During the period, if certain member states "think it proper" to go through the ratification process, they may do so; if they do not want, they may wait and see, said Juncker.

The EU constitution, which encountered two "no" from France and the Netherlands recently, would enter into force in November 2006 if it is ratified smoothly.

However, Juncker said the deadline "no longer attainable."

The EU leaders did not identify a specific time limit for the reflection period. Juncker said "probably" the EU would made a decision on the EU charter in 2007.

Juncker said he "really believe" that the French and Dutch voters did not reject the EU charter itself, and they did not realize that the charter "exactly aims to meet their concerns."

Therefore, the EU and the member states should made "full explanation" to their citizens, he said.

Juncker stressed that he was "optimistic" that the EU and its member states can "convince" the citizens.

He refused to say whether Luxembourg would postpone the referendum on the EU charter, which is due on July 10, noting that it is up to the Luxembourg parliament to have a final say and he himself "has no intention to intervene."

European Commission President Jose Manual Barroso hailed the decision, saying that during Thursday's "lengthy debate", all EU leaders were fully committed to the EU constitution.

"Not singly did," he stressed, adding that the 13 member states that have not yet ratified the charter should "have the opportunity."

European Parliament President Josep Borrell Fontelles, who was specially invited to the press conference against the EU usual practice, said the decision "fully reflects" the view of the majority of the member states and the EP members.

"We are happy with the agreement, the European Parliament will endorse the position," he said.

The EU constitution was finalized in June 2004 after three years of hard talks, and it was signed by leaders of all the 25 EU member states in Rome of Italy in October 2004.

The charter should be ratified by all EU member states, whether by parliament approval or a popular vote, before it enters into force.

Source: Xinhua