Klaus takes “good-natured” swipe at Sarkozy

The Czech President Václav Klaus has poked fun at his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy, saying the French president aspired to be Europe's “permanent chairperson”. The AFP news agency reported that Mr Klaus made the joke on Wednesday during a foreign policy debate in Paris. During France's six-month EU presidency, Mr Sarkozy was seen as highly active on numerous fronts but on occasion the French leader has since raised the ire of Czech officials. Most recently he drew criticism from the Czech Republic – now heading the EU presidency - over his suggestion that French automakers should shut down factories in central Europe and relocate to France. The idea has sparked fears over protectionism.

Author: Jan Velinger