Czech Presidency in the media
How do the world media report on the Czech EU Presidency? Read the articles we have selected for you.
12.5.2009
The Miami Herald: the EU tries to nudge Cuba on Human rights
“There are no political prisoners in Cuba,” said the Cuban Foreign Minister to his Czech counterpart, Jan Kohout. American daily The Miami Herald brings information on their meeting. “Our views converged on issues such as climate change and United Nations reform, but not human rights,” the Czech Foreign Minister summed up the meeting.
7.5.2009
Xinhua: Czech Senate approves Lisbon Treaty
The vote in favour of the Lisbon Treaty by the Senate of the Czech Republic has been remarked by Chinese media. The Xinhua Agency mentions the speech by outgoing Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek ahead of the vote and the comments by President Václav Klaus criticising the result. The article goes on to say that Prime Minister-designate Jan Fischer supports the Treaty and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso has welcomed the outcome of the vote.
Die Presse: European Reform Treaty overcoms important hurdle
The Austrian daily writes about the atmosphere of suspense as the whole of Europe waited for the results of the vote on the Lisbon Treaty in the Senate of the Czech Republic, which finally approved the Treaty with sufficient majority. Everything is now in the hands of Czech President Václav Klaus, says the article, quoting Senator Jiří Dienstbier who said that “Klaus can no longer ignore” signing the Lisbon Treaty. According to Dienstbier, “the Czech Republic must finally abandon its parochial views and stop referring to Europe as ‘they’. Europe is us”. Die Presse points out that, ultimately, the “yes” vote to the Lisbon Treaty is a victory of Mirek Topolánek in his final days in office.
Svenska Dagbladet: Czechs say yes to Lisbon Treaty
The Swedish press writes that the European Commission and Sweden headed by Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt let out a sigh of relief after a "surprising majority" of Czech Senators voted in favour of the Lisbon Treaty. According to the Swedish Prime Minister, this step will make the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council easier.
Magyar Nemzet: Czech Senate says yes to EU Treaty
"The Lisbon Treaty makes the enforcement of national interests somewhat more difficult, but the rejection of the Treaty would render any enforcement impossible", the Magyar Nemzet quotes Mirek Topolánek's speech to the Czech Senators who were also warned of "forces that try to divide Europe" and of the embrace of Moscow. Mirek Topolánek pointed out that his government was, in an embarrassing way and to the undisguised delight of the Kremlin, toppled halfway through the Presidency, and rejection of the Treaty would further weaken the credibility of the Czech Republic. The Senate approved the Lisbon Treaty by a convincing majority.
Financial Times: Boost for EU treaty from Czech Senators
The Financial Times published an article that welcomes the decision of the Czech Senators to approve the Lisbon Treaty. The author of the article, Tony Barber, writes that the convincing 54-20 majority " came as a relief to EU leaders, who have invested the best part of 10 years in trying to redesign the bloc's decision-making procedures in a way that satisfies everyone". At the same time, he expressed his disappointment that President Václav Klaus, who could complete the Treaty's ratification with his signature, declared that the Treaty was "not on the agenda at this point".
6.5.2009
Die Süddeutsche Zeitung: Fruit must be harvested when ripe
“The Lisbon Treaty will influence many spheres of life,” said Czech Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Alexandr Vondra in an interview with major German daily Die Süddeutsche Zeitung. Alexandr Vondra then spoke about the likely adoption of the Lisbon Treaty by the Czech Senate, Czech President Václav Klaus and how the fall of the Czech government has influenced the image of the Czech Republic abroad.
Sme: Klaus is expected to lose. Lisbon is likely to be adopted
The Slovak daily Sme has published an article in which it expresses the view that Czech senators, who are likely to adopt the Lisbon Treaty, will save the face of the country, strengthening thus the position of ODS chairman Mirek Topolánek, the fall of whose government will largely influence the senators’ decision, as asserted in the article. The paper quotes political scientist Jiří Pehe, according to whom “the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty will weaken Klaus’s wing,” adding nonetheless that the Czech President pledged to sign the treaty only after Ireland has adopted it in the second referendum.
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