A total of 67 percent of citizens in the enlarged European Union (EU) of 25 member states support the idea of a European constitution, a poll result showed Monday.

The result of the poll showed that 84 percent of the respondents consider it "essential" or "useful" to give their opinion on the future constitution by referendum.

It generally shows large support for various institutional proposals made by the Convention and differs little from the June 2003 results.

Only five countries out of the 25 surveyed have more than 50 percent of respondents who state that they have heard about the Convention, compared to 10 countries out of 25 in June.

Support levels for the idea of a European constitution vary between countries. The highest levels of support are registered in Italy, Hungary and Spain. In 11 countries, more than two thirds of the population back the idea of a European constitution.

The proposal for a European Minister for Foreign Affairs garners backing from 53 percent of respondents while 68 percent of those polled express support for granting the European Parliament a vote on all European decisions.

The poll was carried out in the period from Sept. 22 to Oct. 3 preceding the launch of the Inter governmental Conference in Rome, Italy.

A first poll with the same questions had been carried out following the European Council in Thessaloniki in Greece in June 2003.

(Xinhua News Agency November 11, 2003)