PARIS, Dec 31, SPA-- France will hold a planned referendum on the European Union constitution before the summer of 2005 and must not let extraneous issues hijack it, President Jacques Chirac announced in a New Year's address on Friday. "In 2005, you will have Europe's future in your hands," Chirac said in the televised address. "I have decided that the European constitution will be submitted to you in a referendum before the summer," he said. But he hinted at a possible anti-Turkish vote when he reminded viewers: "This choice concerns the future of France and of Europe. It must not be distorted by any other consideration. "This is a very big responsibility for all of us." Recent opinion polls show that about two-thirds of the French oppose Turkish EU membership. Public opinion seems to lean towards approving the constitution . To separate the Turkish issue from the constitutional referendum, Chirac has promised the French can vote in another referendum when Ankara's entry talks are over. --SPA 2322 Local Time 2022 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/228935