Czech-Irish talks in Dublin

Czech Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Alexander Vondra is on an official visit to Ireland. He is scheduled to hold talks with Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin and the Irish minister for European affairs Dick Roche. Talks are expected to focus on the Lisbon treaty, which neither country has yet ratified, the global crisis and transatlantic ties. The Czech Republic which currently holds the rotating EU presidency has been criticized for dragging its feet on the Lisbon treaty with observers pointing out that it will be difficult for Prague to put pressure on Dublin since it has not ratified the treaty itself. Minister Vondra has made it clear that each member state must be allowed to proceed at its own pace in this matter, although he will reportedly ask for some guarantees regarding a new referendum on the treaty in Ireland.