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Czechs 'to back treaty this year' Czechs 'to back treaty this year'
(about 1 hour later)
The Czech PM, Jan Fischer, has told EU leaders he fully expects his country to ratify the EU's Lisbon Treaty by the end of this year.The Czech PM, Jan Fischer, has told EU leaders he fully expects his country to ratify the EU's Lisbon Treaty by the end of this year.
The Czech Constitutional Court is studying a complaint against the treaty and the Eurosceptic Czech President, Vaclav Klaus, has not yet signed it.The Czech Constitutional Court is studying a complaint against the treaty and the Eurosceptic Czech President, Vaclav Klaus, has not yet signed it.
Lisbon cannot take effect unless all 27 EU countries ratify it. All but the Czech Republic and Poland have done so.Lisbon cannot take effect unless all 27 EU countries ratify it. All but the Czech Republic and Poland have done so.
The UK Conservatives want to put it to a referendum if elected next spring.The UK Conservatives want to put it to a referendum if elected next spring.
Race against timeRace against time
The treaty aims to streamline EU decision-making and boost the EU's role globally.The treaty aims to streamline EU decision-making and boost the EU's role globally.
Jose Manuel Barroso: "The commitment of the Czech government is very important"Jose Manuel Barroso: "The commitment of the Czech government is very important"
Politicians across Europe want Lisbon ratified swiftly so as to get the new structures within it up and running, and to eliminate the possibility that any new British government might reverse the UK's ratification of the treaty, the BBC's Jonny Dymond reports from Brussels.Politicians across Europe want Lisbon ratified swiftly so as to get the new structures within it up and running, and to eliminate the possibility that any new British government might reverse the UK's ratification of the treaty, the BBC's Jonny Dymond reports from Brussels.
The Czech Republic's Europe Minister, Stefan Fule, told the BBC he thought the Czech ratification could come in "weeks rather than months".The Czech Republic's Europe Minister, Stefan Fule, told the BBC he thought the Czech ratification could come in "weeks rather than months".
He said it was not a question of "if the treaty was signed, but when".He said it was not a question of "if the treaty was signed, but when".
ANALYSIS Gavin Hewitt, BBC News, PragueANALYSIS Gavin Hewitt, BBC News, Prague
If some Tories were hoping that the Eurosceptic Czech President Vaclav Klaus would delay signing the Lisbon Treaty until they were in power next year, today was not encouraging.If some Tories were hoping that the Eurosceptic Czech President Vaclav Klaus would delay signing the Lisbon Treaty until they were in power next year, today was not encouraging.
Czech ministers were out to reassure Brussels that ratification of the treaty would not extend beyond the end of the year. Read Gavin's thoughts in fullCzech ministers were out to reassure Brussels that ratification of the treaty would not extend beyond the end of the year. Read Gavin's thoughts in full
Prime Minister Fischer held talks with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso by videophone on Wednesday. He had been due to fly to Brussels, but his plane was grounded with a technical problem.Prime Minister Fischer held talks with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso by videophone on Wednesday. He had been due to fly to Brussels, but his plane was grounded with a technical problem.
Mr Fischer said "everything is in place" for ratification of the treaty. Under the EU's original plan, Lisbon was supposed to take effect in January this year.Mr Fischer said "everything is in place" for ratification of the treaty. Under the EU's original plan, Lisbon was supposed to take effect in January this year.
The Czech government "has created all the conditions for the treaty to be ratified by the end of the year", Mr Fischer said.The Czech government "has created all the conditions for the treaty to be ratified by the end of the year", Mr Fischer said.
"I am also deeply convinced that the president of the republic [Klaus] will be ready to complete the ratification by authorising it with his signature, after the verdict and the decision of the constitutional court of the Czech Republic becomes available.""I am also deeply convinced that the president of the republic [Klaus] will be ready to complete the ratification by authorising it with his signature, after the verdict and the decision of the constitutional court of the Czech Republic becomes available."
Mr Barroso welcomed Mr Fischer's assurance, saying "this commitment of the Czech government is very clear".Mr Barroso welcomed Mr Fischer's assurance, saying "this commitment of the Czech government is very clear".
LISBON TREATY Creates new post of EU president (President of European Council)New post of High Representative for Foreign AffairsMore decisions by majority vote, rather than unanimityRatified by all member states except Czech Republic and PolandOnly Ireland held a referendum on itTook a decade of negotiationsWas intended to take effect in January 2009LISBON TREATY Creates new post of EU president (President of European Council)New post of High Representative for Foreign AffairsMore decisions by majority vote, rather than unanimityRatified by all member states except Czech Republic and PolandOnly Ireland held a referendum on itTook a decade of negotiationsWas intended to take effect in January 2009
The Czech parliament has already approved the treaty, but a group of senators allied to President Klaus have launched a new legal complaint.The Czech parliament has already approved the treaty, but a group of senators allied to President Klaus have launched a new legal complaint.
Poland is expected to complete ratification in a few days' time.Poland is expected to complete ratification in a few days' time.
On Saturday voters in the Republic of Ireland backed the treaty overwhelmingly in a second referendum, nullifying the Irish "No" vote of June 2008.On Saturday voters in the Republic of Ireland backed the treaty overwhelmingly in a second referendum, nullifying the Irish "No" vote of June 2008.
EU governments see the treaty as fundamental to the 27-nation bloc's future success. Without it, they argue, the EU's decision-making processes will remain slow and cumbersome, because they date back to when the EU consisted of only 15 nations.EU governments see the treaty as fundamental to the 27-nation bloc's future success. Without it, they argue, the EU's decision-making processes will remain slow and cumbersome, because they date back to when the EU consisted of only 15 nations.
Opponents see Lisbon as part of a federalist agenda that threatens national sovereignty.Opponents see Lisbon as part of a federalist agenda that threatens national sovereignty.
Are you in the Czech Republic? Do you think your country should ratify the treaty? How important a decision is it for the Czech Republic and Europe? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in the Czech Republic? Do you think your country should ratify the treaty? How important a decision is it for the Czech Republic and Europe? Send us your comments using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions