Langer to discuss Guantanamo closure with Obama in March

Czech Interior Minister Ivan Langer will visit Washington in March to discuss ways for the EU to help the United States close Guantanamo jail, it was announced on Wednesday. Mr Langer will represent the Czech EU presidency at the meeting, and will be accompanied by Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot. EU member states welcomed last week President Barack Obama’s decision to close the detention centre at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and are keen to help Washington do so. A minority of EU countries - France, Italy, Portugal and Spain – have said they may be ready to accept former prisoners.