Poland said Thursday that it remained determined to hold a referendum on the European Union constitution, which a majority of Poles support, despite French and Dutch voters rejecting the treaty.

For the ruling Social Democrats (SLD), a "yes" vote in Poland for the EU charter could reinforce Poland's position within the 25-nation bloc.

"Poland would have a chance to strengthen its position in Europe. It would be phenomenal for a country which only just joined the EU" in May 2004, said Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, former foreign minister and the speaker of the lower house of the Polish parliament.

His views echoed those of Prime Minister Marek Belka who said Monday that Poland could emerge a stronger member of the EU by supporting the treaty.

Recent polls show that 55 percent of Polish voters are in favor of the EU constitution.

The rightwing political opposition, however, has said the treaty is dead after France and the Netherlands, two founding EU members, voted it down in separate referendums this week.

Deputy Foreign Minister Jan Truszczynski admitted the outlook for the EU constituion had deteriorated but added that "the final nail has not been driven into the coffin."

Poland's parliament still needs to legally call for the referendum.

President Aleksander Kwasniewski said Wednesday that Warsaw would wait until after the European summit on June 16-17 before addressing the legal procedures for a referendum.

The EU constitution treaty must be approved by all 25 members of the bloc before taking effect.