Czechs get their opt-out

A Summit of EU Thursday granted the demand of Czech President Vaclav Klaus to allow his country an opt-out from EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, Czech government speaker Roman Prorok announced in Brussels.

This decision opens the way for Klaus to ratify Lisbon Treaty as soon as Czech Constitutional Court gives him green light.

Czech Republic is the last of 27 EU countries to ratify this document providing for further unification of Europe. Though it was approved by both chambers of parliament, president Klaus refused to sign it, unless he gets the guarantee that the EU Charter -- which is an inseparable part of Lisbon Treaty -- will not be used as a pretext for property claims.

On November 3, the Constitutional Court in Czech town Brno is expected to rule that the treaty is in accord with country's basic law.

The Court has already approved it once but now it must deal with protests voiced by a group of senators.

President Klaus signaled his willingness to add his signature to the treaty without much hesitation after his conditions are met.

He has been heavily criticized both at home and abroad for the delay.

According to a British report, French and German leaders discussed ways how to depose him. His opponents at home said they were ready to accuse him of high treason and start an impeachment process against him.

Nevertheless popular opinion supported Klaus's demand, which was later tacitly supported by leaders of both ODS and CSSD, the major parties in Czech.

Source: Xinhua