The European Union's presidency played down Saturday concerns that French voters could deliver a devastating "non" to the EU constitution next month, while conceding it would make things "difficult."

Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn urged French people to help "move Europe forwards" in a May 29 referendum on the historic text, which EU leaders claim is crucial to prevent decision-making gridlock in the expanding bloc.

"I am assuming that the French people will say yes, because the world will not wait for Europe," he said, speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

While insisting that he did not want to "intervene in French affairs," he said the May 29 vote was crucial for the whole of Europe.

"The question is to move Europe forwards. To move Europe forwards, not only for France but also for all the countries which depend on France, who have surrounded France like us for nearly 50 years now.

"If France says no, it will be difficult," he added.

He said French people would be wrong to blame problems in France on the new constitution, which aims to streamline the EU's institutions as it expands towards 30 members, half a century after the creation of the bloc's forerunner.

French opponents of the EU constitution claim it will boost the "anglo-saxon" freemarket economic model and erode their long-cherished European "social model" protecting workers' rights.

President Jacques Chirac launched a personal effort to persuade voters on French television Thursday night. But two new opinion polls Saturday indicated opposition to the EU constitution had increased to 56 percent of voters.

Asselborn remained upbeat however. "On May 29 I am convinced that French people will make the right choice," he said.