Barroso praises Czech preparations for EU presidency on Prague visit

The president of the European Commission, Jose Barroso, has praised the Czech Republic’s preparations for its presidency of the European Union in the first half of next year. Speaking after talks in Prague with the Czech prime minister, Mirek Topolánek, Mr Barroso said Mr Topolánek had very clear ideas about the main priorities for the Czech presidency. The Commission president said the Czech Republic would be heading the EU in a key period when it was forming new rules on its operation under the Treaty of Lisbon. Mr Topolánek said he was confident all 27 members would have ratified the reform document by the end of this year, paving the way for its implementation during the Czech presidency.

The Portuguese Commission president and Mr Topolánek also discussed the upcoming Euro 2008 football tournament, where their two countries will meet in the group stage. Mr Barroso said the game would feature the two best teams in the world.