Current Affairs Czechs say they’re ready for EU presidency, warn French not to act ‘divisively’
The Czech government has said that the country’s upcoming EU presidency has not been put in jeopardy by the plans of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. France’s head of state reportedly wants to increase the influence of the Eurogroup – a group of countries to which the Czech Republic does not belong, and which, during the Czech presidency, Mr Sarkozy himself would like to head. Czech officials have warned against the move, calling it 'divisive'.
Nicolas Sarkozy, photo: CTK
On Tuesday, French paper Le Monde reported upon the Élysée Palace’s
attempts to keep control of European economic policy for at least another
year. France’s president Nicolas Sarkozy argues that, in turbulent times
for the global economy, strong leadership and stability are needed within
the EU. During the Czechs’ presidency next year, Mr Sarkozy reportedly
wants to fortify and lead the Eurogroup – an informal grouping of the 15
countries currently using the euro.
He says that the financial crisis cannot be resolved by finance ministers alone, and that heads of state, such as himself, must intervene. The Czechs are unhappy about being ‘bypassed’. Here’s what Deputy PM Alexandr Vondra had to say to Czech Radio:
Alexandr Vondra
“The idea of politicians muscling their way into the good
partnership
that currently exists between the European Central Bank and European
finance ministers is a risky one. Because it paves the way for increased
instability, not only between eurozone countries and non-eurozone
countries, but even, in the longer term, between eurozone countries
themselves. Because we all know that France and Germany have very
different
opinions when it comes to maintaining the euro’s stability.”
The Deputy PM for European Affairs Alexandr Vondra released a statement on Thursday saying there was nothing to stop the French from presiding over the Eurogroup, and convening its members for more frequent discussions. But, Mr Vondra warned, this move may ‘divide the EU rather than unify it’.
The statement adamantly dismissed claims that the French were seeking to
extend their EU presidency into the new year, saying Prague was ‘fully
prepared to take over… on January 1’. But the speculation which Mr
Vondra called ‘unacceptable’ will have not been abated by Prime
Minister Mirek Topolánek’s comments on Friday. The PM said the French
always want to extend their EU presidency - and that this time round was
no
exception.
