Blair's referendum gamble has put the spotlight on other EU leaders

In a newspaper article, Tony Blair has told the French people why he believes such a vote is essential.

But No 10 denied the article would add pressure on French President Jacques Chirac to hold a referendum, saying it should be kept "in perspective".

He said the two leaders had discussed the UK referendum and EU expansion "earlier this week".

Routine meeting

"If a French newspaper asks for an article it is sensible to write one setting out our position.

As soon as Turkey fulfils its criteria for accession, it will bring a new dimension to the EU, providing a bridge with the Islamic world Tony Blair

"The French government's position on the matter is a matter for the French government," Mr Blair's spokesman said.

He confirmed Mr Blair was to meet Giscard D'Estaing, until recently the man in charge of drawing up the draft EU constitution, later on Wednesday.

He said the meeting had been arranged because Mr D'Estaing "was in town".

In a front page opinion piece for the centre-left Le Monde newspaper, Tony Blair said that it was time to let the British public decide on the issue.

Headlined 'My Europe', the article said the enlarged European Union will give the organization a "new energy".

'Consult'

The BBC's Paris correspondent Caroline Wyatt says that Mr Chirac has been reluctant to call a vote.

This is because of fears that it could turn into a protest vote against either an unpopular French government or further European enlargement.

On his decision to let voters decide on whether the UK should sign up to the constitution, Mr Blair said that the time had come to put his cards on the table.

It was the chance for Euro-sceptics and pro-Europeans to put forward their arguments, but he has said he was sorry that the issue had been presented "in such a bad light."

"It is impossible to argue intelligently when the debate centres not on the merits of the planned constitution, but on whether there is good reason to consult the people on the subject," he said.

There has been no comment from the Elysee Palace on Mr Blair's article, but Mr Chirac will give a press conference about Europe on Thursday which may offer some clues as to his position on a referendum, Caroline Wyatt has said.

'Time to act'

Meanwhile, Pat Cox, president of the European Parliament, urged British politicians to "get on your bike" and fight for the EU constitution.

Is Britain up for it ... Or is Britain opting out? Pat Cox President, European Parliament

"When I look at the state of the public opinion polls and a large number of the euro myths that seem to abound, I recall Norman Tebbit's phrase 'get on your bike'," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"It is not a time to hang about. Even if it is in a year, 18 months, whenever it could be, it takes a considerable period to get some basic messages across to the broad mass of the public."

Mr Cox said the referendum represented a "generational defining moment in Britain", with the question: "Is Britain up for it? To give real leadership and play a central role in Europe?

"Or is Britain opting out? And frankly, it will boil down to that basic instinct in the end."

'Benefits'

Mr Blair has said the ten new members joining the European Union on May 1 will speed up the changes to the organisation.

"By their experience and determination they will breathe a new energy into the European Union and step up the pace of modernisation for the great benefit of all," he said.

"It will give the EU additional weight if we have the political will to exert it."

The prime minister also said that he envisaged Bulgaria and Romania joining the union in two or three years, with the candidatures of Turkey and Croatia "on the right path."

"As soon as Turkey fulfils its criteria for accession, it will bring a new dimension to the EU, providing a bridge with the Islamic world," he told Le Monde.