Czech cabinet to specify EU presidency priorities later

The Czech cabinet originally planned to further specify the political priorities of the Czech EU presidency by the end of June, but has put off the debate indefinitely as it wants to see how the current Portuguese presidency will develop, Ondrej Karas of the Office of Government said on Wednesday. Mr. Karas told the CTK news agency that the cabinet also wants to wait for the autumn negotiations with France and Sweden, Prague's predecessor and successor at the EU helm, respectively. The three countries are planning to create a joint programme for a period of 18 months.

The main motto of the Czech presidency is to be Europe Without Barriers. Prague also wants to focus on the EU s competitiveness and deregulation, and to emphasize the freedom of movement of people, services, capital and goods within a liberal trade policy.