This EUO site is losing its detached position it has long held and is
now often a mere mouthpiece for the Commission's view . But these
remarks by the Czech PM who is NOT opposed to the treaty himself are
timely. His President is a treaty opponent and is open `about it.
No wonder the arrogant Sarkozy, holding the presidency until two
weeks ago was reluctant to hand over to the Czechs!!
xxxxxxxxxx cs
EU OBSERVER 14.1.09
Czech PM gives scant praise to Lisbon treaty
HONOR MAHONY
BRUSSELS - Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek has trampled on the
EU's unspoken rule [Since every one else breaks the rules all the
time this is jusdt making up for lost opportunities -cs] that
presidency countries do not offer a controversial opinion on the
sensitive topic of the moment.
Speaking to MEPs in Strasbourg on Wednesday (14 January), Mr
Topolanek, in charge of the EU for the first half of this year,
offered only half-hearted support for the EU's new rulebook - seven
years in the making and facing an uncertain future - and expressed
doubts that Czech citizens would approve it in a referendum.
"It's an average treaty, a bit better than the [current] Nice
treaty," he said and expressed annoyance about the pressure on member
states to ratify the Lisbon treaty.
"Telling member states in advance that they have to ratify the treaty
and ...that they do not have the right ...to decide whether to
approve it or not is absurd," Mr Topolanek said, according to AFP
news agency.
He noted that if there was a referendum on Lisbon in his country then
it "would also not be accepted" in a comment unlikely to be welcomed
by the Irish government, [But the Irish people will probably welcome
it -cs] which is gearing itself up for a second vote on the charter
after Irish voters rejected it first time round last year.
His words were quickly seized upon by the anti-treaty camp in Ireland.
Mary-Lou McDonald, an MEP for Sinn Fein which campaigned against the
document, welcomed Mr Topolanek's "candour" and said it illustrated
"the massive discrepancy between the political establishment of
Europe and member state citizens." [The people don't want the treaty
in France, Holland and Ireland and probably many others too, denied a
vote! -cs]
The Czech Republic is the only country which has not yet expressed
itself on the treaty. Prague's treaty debate has become embroiled in
domestic issues. In addition, several MPs do not like the document
which is due to be voted on in the lower house of parliament on 3
February.
For his part, Mr Topolanek told euro-deputies that as he had
negotiated and signed off the Lisbon treaty, he personally would vote
for it.
With or without the Czech leader's controversial words, the Lisbon
treaty is set to stay high on the political agenda over the coming
months.
One of the main tasks for Prague will be to negotiate a legal
framework for the political promises made to Ireland by other member
states about the text - on tax issues, neutrality and family law.
Dublin has indicated that it will hold its second referendum later
this year - it is expected to take place in the autumn.