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Klaus defends Czech cabinet decision not to join EU fiscal pact
Feb 1, 2012, 12:18 GMT
Prague - President Vaclav Klaus has defended the Czech government's decision not to join the European Union fiscal pact, calling the eurozone monetary union a 'tragic mistake,' in an interview published Wednesday on his website.
Of the European Union's 27 members, only the Czech Republic and Britain have refused to agree to the pact.
'Ratification is a problem in any democratic society. Ratification is trouble-free only in dictatorships,' said Klaus, a known eurosceptic.
He also criticized a reported plan by Germany - since scrapped - to appoint a European 'budget commissioner' with the power to veto Greek government budget decisions.
'They have in fact suggested to put Greece under EU protectorate,' said Klaus, whose mandate includes the signature of international treaties.
The Czech Republic joined the EU in 2004, but it is not yet a member of the euro area. Author: Michael Heitmann
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