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Polish leader to ratify EU treaty Polish leader to ratify EU treaty
(31 minutes later)
Polish President Lech Kaczynski is expected to sign the European Union's Lisbon Treaty on Saturday.Polish President Lech Kaczynski is expected to sign the European Union's Lisbon Treaty on Saturday.
His signature will mean the treaty, which is intended to streamline decision-making, remains un-ratified by just one country, the Czech Republic.His signature will mean the treaty, which is intended to streamline decision-making, remains un-ratified by just one country, the Czech Republic.
It must be ratified by all 27 member states before it can come into force.It must be ratified by all 27 member states before it can come into force.
The Czech President, Vaclav Klaus, has said he will not sign the treaty unless his country is granted an opt-out from the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.The Czech President, Vaclav Klaus, has said he will not sign the treaty unless his country is granted an opt-out from the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Mr Klaus raised fears about possible property claims by Germans expelled from the then Czechoslovakia after World War II.Mr Klaus raised fears about possible property claims by Germans expelled from the then Czechoslovakia after World War II.
Last week, Irish voters approved the treaty in a second referendum.Last week, Irish voters approved the treaty in a second referendum.
Czechs 'isolated'Czechs 'isolated'
Poland's president had promised to sign the reform treaty if the Irish voted "yes" and would do so "on Saturday at noon", officials said.Poland's president had promised to sign the reform treaty if the Irish voted "yes" and would do so "on Saturday at noon", officials said.
ANALYSIS Gavin Hewitt, BBC News, BrusselsANALYSIS Gavin Hewitt, BBC News, Brussels
There is an element of farce creeping into the drama of the Czech Republic and the Lisbon Treaty. We now know what President Klaus's conditions are for signing the treaty - or rather I think we do.There is an element of farce creeping into the drama of the Czech Republic and the Lisbon Treaty. We now know what President Klaus's conditions are for signing the treaty - or rather I think we do.
To start with, he did not intend to reveal his hand. He feels he was pushed into it. The Czech president is clearly irritated that, in his view, the Swedish prime minister disclosed a confidential conversation they had. Read Gavin's thoughts in fullTo start with, he did not intend to reveal his hand. He feels he was pushed into it. The Czech president is clearly irritated that, in his view, the Swedish prime minister disclosed a confidential conversation they had. Read Gavin's thoughts in full
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, European Parliament speaker Jerzy Buzek and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, will attend the Polish ceremony.European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, European Parliament speaker Jerzy Buzek and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, will attend the Polish ceremony.
The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Brussels says that Mr Kaczynski's signature will leave the Czech Republic, and in particular its Eurosceptic president, entirely isolated.The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Brussels says that Mr Kaczynski's signature will leave the Czech Republic, and in particular its Eurosceptic president, entirely isolated.
But, he says, that appears not to concern Mr Klaus.But, he says, that appears not to concern Mr Klaus.
The president is insisting on a "footnote" being added to the text so as to exempt his country from the Charter of Fundamental Rights much like Poland and the UK already are, our correspondent says.The president is insisting on a "footnote" being added to the text so as to exempt his country from the Charter of Fundamental Rights much like Poland and the UK already are, our correspondent says.
"Before ratification, the Czech Republic must, additionally at least, negotiate a similar exemption," Mr Klaus was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying on Friday. "I believe that this exemption can be resolved quickly.""Before ratification, the Czech Republic must, additionally at least, negotiate a similar exemption," Mr Klaus was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying on Friday. "I believe that this exemption can be resolved quickly."
He said the charter would "allow [claimants] to circumvent Czech courts and place, for example, property claims by people expelled after World War II directly at the European Court of Justice".He said the charter would "allow [claimants] to circumvent Czech courts and place, for example, property claims by people expelled after World War II directly at the European Court of Justice".
President Klaus has compared EU institutions to the old Soviet blocPresident Klaus has compared EU institutions to the old Soviet bloc
Mr Klaus has said previously that he will not sign the treaty until the Czech Constitutional Court rules on a new legal complaint against it, lodged by senators allied to him.Mr Klaus has said previously that he will not sign the treaty until the Czech Constitutional Court rules on a new legal complaint against it, lodged by senators allied to him.
The Czech parliament has already approved the treaty and his critics note that it is the government, not the president, who negotiates international treaties.The Czech parliament has already approved the treaty and his critics note that it is the government, not the president, who negotiates international treaties.
Nevertheless, President Klaus's move has already had an impact in Brussels, our correspondent adds.Nevertheless, President Klaus's move has already had an impact in Brussels, our correspondent adds.
Officials say the next summit at the end of October will now probably be devoted solely to dealing with Czech objections, rather than selecting people for the new posts created by the Lisbon Treaty.Officials say the next summit at the end of October will now probably be devoted solely to dealing with Czech objections, rather than selecting people for the new posts created by the Lisbon Treaty.
France has already expressed opposition to Mr Klaus's demand.France has already expressed opposition to Mr Klaus's demand.
Supporters of the treaty are also concerned that if Mr Klaus holds up the treaty, Britain's opposition Conservatives may fulfil their pledge for a referendum on it should they come to power.
A UK general election must be held by June next year.
At the Conservative party conference this week, shadow foreign secretary William Hague restated its opposition to the treaty, saying the EU should not place its own president above any nation's.