Belgium - Lisbon Treaty
Czech Republic to ratify treaty after winning opt-out
Article published on the 2009-10-30 Latest update 2009-10-30 14:17 TU
Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer arrives at the European Union leaders summit in Brussels today
(Photo: Reuters)
The Czech Republic agreed to ratify the treaty by the year's end if the text gets a go-ahead from top judges next week.
EU leaders meeting in Brussels Friday approved the opt-out, after the eurosceptic Czech president, Vaclav Klaus, earlier this month shocked the EU by refusing to sign the text. This held up the implementation of the treaty and the naming of an EU president.
"I am happy to say that the European Council this evening has been able to take a decision and agree on what has been asked for by the Czech government and the Czech President. The road to ratification stands open," said Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.
Klaus said he forced the condition in an attempt to shield the Czech Republic from property claims made by ethnic Germans expelled from the country after the second world war.
The Czech constitutional court is expected to next week throw out a challenge by a group of Czech senators who argue the treaty will infringe Czech national sovereignty.
The country is the only member state yet to ratify the legislation. Prime Minister Jan Fischer assured reporters in Brussels the President was satisfied with the text of the opt-out.
"I would like to assure you that if the constitutional court on 3 November rules the Lisbon Treaty is in line with the Czech constitution, there will be nothing to prevent a fast completion of the ratification," he said.
