The German and Polish leaders rallied behind President Jacques Chirac on Thursday by urging French voters to back the European Union constitution, saying it was their duty to set an example for other EU states.
After talks in the historic eastern city of Nancy, they ruled out renegotiating the EU charter if French voters reject it in a referendum on May 29.
The latest opinion polls give the anti-treaty campaign a slender lead and rejection by founder member France could in theory torpedo the constitution because it requires the approval of all 25 member states to go into force.
"France assumes a big responsibility, the responsibility not to let down us other Europeans over the constitution," German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder told a news conference beside Chirac and Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski.
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said before the talks in Nancy that a French "No" would encourage other member states to follow suit in similar ballots.
Economists say defeat of the treaty, which aims to make EU decision-making easier following its expansion last year to 25 members, could also send ripples through financial markets.
Kwasniewski said a French "Oui" would light the path for Poland, which he said could hold its own referendum this autumn.
"I wish for myself, for France and for all of us, that this constitutional treaty will be adopted here on May 29. That will be a very important sign for the Polish referendum," he said.
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