Brussels, 01/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - Addressing reporters on Tuesday, European Social Policy, Employment and Equal Opportunities Commissioner Vladimir Spidla regretted the French 'No' vote on the European Constitution, saying the Constitution, incorporating the Charter of Fundamental Rights, was very democratic. He said he believed in the European social model as a full part of the European system of values, adding that Europe was united through its values and fundamental rights as much as its currency and trade. It is respect of these rights, he said, that gives economic integration its legitimacy and not the other way round. If we do not make progress in the cause of equality and reject all types of discrimination, public support and the justification even of the EU will fade away. This is the serious lesson I learn from the French referendum. Asked whether the French 'Non' to the Constitution was also two fingers up to the recent rounds of enlargement, Spidla said enlargement had been at the centre of debate in France but it is not true that the new Member States have worse social and working conditions than old Member States.