EUROPEAN DISSENT:THE CZECH Republic shares with Ireland a wish to remain at the heart of Europe despite opposition in both countries to the Lisbon Treaty, the Czech ambassador told an Oireachtas committee yesterday.
During a presentation to the Joint Committee on European Affairs, the ambassador, Tomas Kafka, compared the situation in his own country, which has yet to ratify the Lisbon Treaty, with Ireland's dilemma following the rejection of the document in June. "We are both facing tough opposition to the treaty," he said.
But Mr Kafka added he was "deeply convinced" Ireland and the Czech Republic are "willing to remain at the heart of Europe".
The ambassador said it was important to bear in mind that a "good result is more important than speed" when it comes to resolving the situation.
Earlier this week, the Czech parliament postponed debate on the treaty until next February, one month after it assumes the EU's rotating presidency.
Mr Kafka, responding to questions from TDs Billy Timmins, Joe Costello and Noel Treacy on what the latter described as "confused signals" coming from the Czech Republic, said opposition to the treaty in his country was not confined to its president, Václav Klaus, a noted Eurosceptic. Many of those with misgivings, he said, were "scared the new face of the EU would damage the democratic space for decision-making".
The EU, the ambassador argued, should not be nervous of such debates but should instead allow space for disagreement.