Klaus: EU moved from phase of liberalisation to one of centralisation

The Czech Republic already "consumed" most of the advantages that membership in the European Union brings before it joined the EU, President Vaclav Klaus said on Monday. Speaking at a seminar at Prague's Carolinum, Mr Klaus said the country's expenses have been outweighing the benefits of EU membership ever since EU accession two years ago. The union has moved from a phase of liberalisation to one of centralisation; as a result, Czech citizens are now struggling with excessive paper work, and abundance in legislation, the president said.