PM will put forward Klaus’s views on Lisbon treaty, but wants assurance that this is president’s last problem with the document

The Czech cabinet met on Monday to discuss President Václav Klaus’s conditions for signing the Lisbon treaty. After the meeting, Prime Minister Jan Fischer said that his government was willing to negotiate with lawmakers in Brussels to have Mr Klaus’s conditions met, but, the prime minister added, he would first need a guarantee from Mr Klaus that this was truly the Czech president’s last request. Mr Fischer said that he would discuss Mr Klaus’s demands at an EU summit at the end of October. Mr Klaus has said he will only sign the EU reform document if the Czech Republic is granted a special opt-out that would prevent ethnic Germans forced out of their homes after WWII from claiming back their property. The Czech Republic is the last country in the European Union to ratify the Lisbon treaty, designed to streamline decision-making in the 27-nation bloc. Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer has said Prague will ratify the Lisbon treaty by the end of the year.

Author: Rosie Johnston