This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8327190.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Czech court to hear Lisbon case Czech court to hear Lisbon case
(40 minutes later)
The Czech Constitutional Court is due to hear what could be the last legal challenge to the EU's Lisbon Treaty.The Czech Constitutional Court is due to hear what could be the last legal challenge to the EU's Lisbon Treaty.
It will consider a case brought by 17 Eurosceptic senators who say the treaty would create a superstate, and as such infringes Czech sovereignty.It will consider a case brought by 17 Eurosceptic senators who say the treaty would create a superstate, and as such infringes Czech sovereignty.
The treaty, which aims to streamline the way the EU is run, must be approved by all 27 member countries before it can become law.The treaty, which aims to streamline the way the EU is run, must be approved by all 27 member countries before it can become law.
The Czech Republic is the only country which has yet to sign.The Czech Republic is the only country which has yet to sign.
The 15-member Czech Constitutional Court panel will convene in the city of Brno.The 15-member Czech Constitutional Court panel will convene in the city of Brno.
LISBON TREATY Aimed at streamlining EU decision-makingRatified by all member states except the Czech RepublicOnly Ireland held a referendum on itTook a decade of negotiationsWas intended to take effect in January 2009 Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty LISBON TREATY Aimed at streamlining EU decision-makingRatified by all member states except the Czech RepublicOnly Ireland held a referendum on itTook a decade of negotiationsWas intended to take effect in January 2009 Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty class="" href="/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/8326287.stm">Swedish PM confident of ratification
The BBC's Rob Cameron, in Brno, says that the court has received several additional petitions in the past few days, and some observers believe that the judges may need more than one day to decide.The BBC's Rob Cameron, in Brno, says that the court has received several additional petitions in the past few days, and some observers believe that the judges may need more than one day to decide.
The court challenge is one of two hurdles to be cleared before Czech President Vaclav Klaus will sign the Lisbon Treaty.The court challenge is one of two hurdles to be cleared before Czech President Vaclav Klaus will sign the Lisbon Treaty.
A similar case has already been dismissed, but the president - a Eurosceptic who strongly opposes the treaty - still has to sign it to complete ratification.A similar case has already been dismissed, but the president - a Eurosceptic who strongly opposes the treaty - still has to sign it to complete ratification.
He has said he will not do that unless provided with solid guarantees about property rights in the Czech Republic, a subject which will be addressed by a summit later this week in Brussels.He has said he will not do that unless provided with solid guarantees about property rights in the Czech Republic, a subject which will be addressed by a summit later this week in Brussels.
Our correspondent says the EU is keen to get on with the task of implementing far-reaching reforms, including the appointment of a new permanent EU president, but is being frustrated by the lack of Czech ratification.Our correspondent says the EU is keen to get on with the task of implementing far-reaching reforms, including the appointment of a new permanent EU president, but is being frustrated by the lack of Czech ratification.
The Czech parliament has already approved the treaty.The Czech parliament has already approved the treaty.
The Lisbon Treaty is also under threat from the UK's Conservative Party.The Lisbon Treaty is also under threat from the UK's Conservative Party.
They say they will hold a referendum on the treaty if they form a government next year, and if it is not signed into law by then.They say they will hold a referendum on the treaty if they form a government next year, and if it is not signed into law by then.