EUX.TV, the EU policy channel» Vaclav Klaus

Czech Constitutional Court Okays Lisbon Treaty

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:01:24 +0000

The EU reform Lisbon treaty is in compliance with the Czech constitutional order and its ratification can be completed, the Constitutional Court (US) ruled today. The Czech Republic is the last EU country not to have ratified the treaty as President Vaclav Klaus has not signed it yet. The Constitutional Court examined the Lisbon treaty on the basis of a complaint by a group of senators. The court today also rejected the related proposals for the assessment of the Maastricht and Rome treaties as well as the Irish opts-out. US chairman Pavel Rychetsky is reading the court’s justification. The court’s decision that the Lisbon treaty was in line with the constitution was Klaus’s last condition for signing the document. Klaus previously pushed through an opt-out from Czechs from the Charter of Fundamental Rights, part of the Lisbon treaty, at the EU summit in fears that that the Charter might enable German deportees to claim their former property on Czech soil, confiscated from them on the basis of the post-war Benes decrees. However, the Czech opt-out has been criticised by the Social Democrats (CSSD) and trade unions, saying it would harm the protection of citizens’ rights and freedoms. The government dismissed these worries. The senators, mainly from the Civic Democrats (ODS), asked the US to examine the treaty for the second time. The new complaint was aimed at the whole treaty, while last autumn the Constitutional Court, on the basis of the first complaint, was to examine …

Vaclav Klaus Signs Lisbon Treaty: Prague Press Conference

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:53:24 +0000

Czech President Vaclav Klaus on Tuesday reluctantly signed the Lisbon Treaty on the future of the European Union. The signature followed a Czech constitutional court ruling earlier in the day saying the treaty does not clash with the Czech constitution. President Vaclav Klaus signed the Lisbon treaty after the Czech Constitutional Court issued its verdict this morning, Klaus himself said today. The Czech Republic was the last EU country that did not ratified the treaty. With Klaus’s signature, the ratification has been completed. The Constitutional Court today rejected a complaint against the treaty and said the treaty was in line with the country’s constitution. Klaus said he expected this verdict and respected it though he did not agree with the court’s arguments. On Thursday, the EU leaders agreed on an opt-out from the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, demanded by Klaus for Czechs. Klaus’s missing signature was the last obstacle to the implementation of the EU reform treaty.

Vaclav Klaus Receives EU Parliament Chief on Lisbon Treaty

admin — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:24:13 +0000

Czech President Vaclav Klaus held a brief meeting on Friday with Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, to discuss his reluctance to sign off on the Lisbon Treaty that is to shape the way the 27 member states of the European Union will cooperate.

Irish ‘Yes’ Triggers Musical Chairs Game in EU: EUX.TV Report

admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:34:37 +0000

So Ireland has voted ‘yes’ to the Lisbon Treaty. For the 27 member states of the European, the vote signals the kick-off for a high-level game of musical chairs. Who will become the first European president? And Foreign Minister? and who will be the new members of the European Commission? The timing of this process all depends on Czech President Vaclav Klaus and the constitutional court in the Czech Republic. EUX.TV report by Raymond Frenken.

Barroso Calls on Czechs to Complete Lisbon Ratification ASAP

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:43:39 +0000

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, pleased with the ‘yes’ vote to the Lisbon Treaty in Ireland, on Saturday evening called on the Czech Republic to complete its ratification of the treaty as soon as possible. The Czech parliament has given its green light to the treaty on the future structure of European cooperation, but its eurosceptic president Vaclav Klaus still has to put his signature under it.

Barroso on Irish Vote: All EU Member States Now Approved Treaty

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 05:35:18 +0000

Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, on Saturday was thrilled to be able to welcome the outcome of the vote of the Irish people in the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. According to the official results, 67 percent of the Irish approved the treaty after it was put to the vote for a second time in 15 months.

Ireland Approves Lisbon Treaty: Swedish PM Reacts

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 05:28:13 +0000

Ireland on Saturday approved the Lisbon Treaty on the future structure of the European Union with an overwhelming majority of 67 percent, while 33 percent voted ‘no’. Speaking in Stockholm, Fredrick Reinfeldt, Prime Minister of Sweden, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, welcomed the the result. Voters rejected the treaty in June 2008. The Irish people have spoken with a clear and resounding voice, Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen told reporters at government buildings in Dublin, according to Bloomberg News. Its a good day for Ireland and for Europe. Voters switched sides to embrace European shelter, as the economy shrinks at a record pace and unemployment surges. Irish approval leaves the Czech Republic and Poland the only countries yet to ratify the treaty, which would create a full-time EU president as well as streamlining decision making.

Vaclav Klaus on being heckled at the EU Parliament

admin — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:27:58 +0000

After his controversial address in the European Parliament, Czech President Vaclav Klaus went to the offices of the Czech PermRep in Brussels to answer questions from journalists and to elaborate on his address.

Full playlist on Vaclav Klaus.

Vaclav Klaus: MEPs walk out during plenary address

Vaclav Klaus: MEPs walk out during plenary address

admin — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:52:04 +0000

Another ‘historic’ moment in European history?

Czechs seek to ‘sweeten Europe’ during their EU presidency

admin — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:41:57 +0000