Weigl: re-negotiation unnecessary, EU could provide guarantees

In related news, the head of the president’s office Jiří Weigl made clear that new ratification of the Lisbon treaty by all EU states will not be necessary to meet President Václav Klaus’s conditions. Mr Weigl suggested on Friday that the country could receive guarantees similar to those given to Ireland ahead of the second Irish referendum. The Czech government has indicated a willingness to negotiate Mr Klaus’s demands with other EU members, but had sought guarantees the president would come forward with no further hurdles to the treaty. A number of EU leaders have expressed concern that the Czech president is purposely delaying ratification to allow for the British Conservative Party to call a referendum on the Lisbon treaty in 2010.