Vondra: government policy statement not to include stance on European constitution

The outgoing Foreign Minister, Alexandr Vondra, says the policy statement of the new cabinet of Mirek Topolanek will most likely not include any definitive stance on the European constitution and its ratification. Mr Vondra who has been nominated for the post of deputy Prime Minister for European affairs in the new cabinet, added that a timetable will most likely be approved during Germany's presidency of the EU specifying further negotiations on the document. Mr Vondra's proposed successor, Karel Schwarzenberg, says it is vital for the EU to have a constitutional treaty. The Czech President Vaclav Klaus, however, in his New Year's address, warned against efforts to revive the European Union constitution under Germany's presidency.