PM begins tour outlining priorities of Czech EU presidency

Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek has begun a tour of European capitals to outline priorities when the Czech Republic assumes the European Union’s rotating presidency in less than a year’s time. On Friday Mr Topolánek met with the Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in Athens. He stressed the focus would be to remove barriers to labour mobility as well as to lift bureaucratic obstacles. He also said under the Czechs’ presidency the EU would hold energy talks with Russia, address budget reform and oversee EP elections. During its term, Prague will also oversee the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon, set to replace the EU constitution rejected in 2005 referenda in France and the Netherlands.

The treaty streamlines EU operations by cutting the size of the European Parliament, limiting the use of national vetoes and creating the post of president as well as European foreign policy head.