Government wants more transparent EU treaty

The Czech governing coalition has agreed on a joint stand on the European Constitution. Its position is outlined in a five-point declaration which was approved on Thursday. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek told reporters the new text of the constitution could be based on the current document but needed to be more comprehensive and transparent. The Czech Republic halted its part in the ratification process of the EU constitution after it was rejected by France and the Netherlands in referenda in 2005.