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Czechs 'to back treaty this year' Czechs 'to back treaty this year'
(19 minutes 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.
The treaty aims to streamline EU decision-making and boost the EU's role globally.
Race against timeRace against time
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.
Jose Manuel Barroso: "The commitment of the Czech government is very important"Jose Manuel Barroso: "The commitment of the Czech government is very important"
Mr 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 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."
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
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".
The treaty aims to streamline EU decision-making and boost the EU's role globally.
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.