Topolánek meets with Sarkozy in Paris

In related news, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek has met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris to discuss the Czech Republic’s taking up the EU presidency on January 1. The meeting followed speculation in the media that Paris was trying to downplay Prague’s upcoming role at the head of the EU, in light of the global financial crisis and other key issues. In recent days, some media also questioned the Czech Republic’s overall preparedness. But on Friday, the French president reportedly fully backed the Czechs as the next EU leaders, stressing that Czech representatives should also be present at an upcoming New York summit on the financial crisis.