Czech president reiterates opposition to Lisbon Treaty

PRAGUE. February 19. KAZINFORM Czech President Vaclav Klaus, termed the Chamber of Deputies' approval of the Lisbon Treaty "a tragic mistake," has urged the Senate to take a more responsible stance on the treaty.

According to the president's spokesman, Radim Ochvat, Klaus made the remarks when interviewed by Nova television on Wednesday. Ochvat said the president, a sharp opponent to the Lisbon treaty, has believed the treaty would pose a threat to Czech sovereignty. "The president at the same time believes the Senate as a whole will consider the treaty in a more responsible way," Ochvat said. If the Senate approves the treaty, which is aimed at reforming EU institutions, Klaus will have to sign it to complete the ratification process. The president said last November he would sign the document only when it was ratified in Ireland, where the treaty was rejected in a referendum last June, Kazinform cites Xinhua. The Czech Republic, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, is the last EU country to vote on the treaty. Twenty-five other EU members have ratified the treaty.