Government reveals list of EU presidency priorities and motto

The Czech government has revealed a list of priorities as well as a motto for its impending presidency of the European Union, which begins 1 January 2009. Its motto for the presidency will be “Europe without barriers” – while plans include an emphasis on increased free trade, sustainable energy development, a lowering of EU-wide carbon dioxide emissions, and continued discussions about Croatia’s potential EU entry. Other priorities include dealing with the contentious issue of the Lisbon Treaty on a European level, the setting up of an EU conference on human rights in Cuba, and efforts to gain the attendance of then President Barack Obama at an informal EU summit next spring – though the latter goal may be complicated by the president’s attendance at a different summit in London at the same time. The Czech government is reportedly spending more than 3 billion crowns in preparations for its six-month term at the head of the European Union.