Prague assures Germany it's not blocking Lisbon Treaty

Oct 20, 2008, 13:07 GMT

Prague - Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said Monday he is dedicated to ratifying European Union's reform treaty before his country takes over the EU presidency on January 1.

Topolanek's assurance came during a visit to Prague by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who urged the Czech Republic to pass the stalled Lisbon Treaty so the EU can move ahead on efforts to bring it into force.

Czech ratification is not 'artificially obstructed' and 'could be completed by year's end,' before the Czech Republic takes over the EU presidency for six months, Topolanek said.

Merkel said she hoped the Czech Republic's ratification would be finished when country's presidency begins, so the EU could continue working with Ireland on 'completing ratification' there.

The Czech Constitutional Court is reviewing the treaty at the request of eurosceptic members of Topolanek's Civic Democratic Party. It's unclear when it will rule whether the pace is in line with the country's constitution.

Topolanek, who signed the treaty along with other EU leaders last December, said parliament will take up the treaty as soon as the high court clears it.

The Czech premier said it would be problematic for the presiding country to negotiate on future Irish ratification steps, while neither having ratified the pact.

Irish voters rejected the accord, aimed at streamlining decision-making in the 27-member bloc, in a June referendum.

Topolanek, whose governing party has a significant eurosceptic streak, called the treaty 'a very tough compromise' and the price for belonging to 'a certain orbit of civilization.'

'That is why I support it despite all the problems I have with it,' he said.