Austrian anti-nuclear activists block border crossings on Friday

Anti-nuclear activists from neighbouring Austria again blocked 12 out of the 16 border crossings between the Czech Republic and Austria for two hours on Friday afternoon. The protesters want the Austrian government to file an international lawsuit against the Czech Republic over an alleged breach of agreements on the safety of the Czech nuclear power station Temelin. The last such protests took place two weeks ago when the activists blocked 10 border crossings.

Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said on Thursday he would discuss the matter with his Austrian counterpart Ursula Plassnik, most likely at a meeting of EU foreign ministers. Czech officials have repeatedly said the blockades amount to breach free movement of persons - one of the fundamental freedoms granted by the EU.