Barroso appeals to Klaus to sign EU treaty

Commission president José Manuel Barroso has made an impassioned plea to Czech president Václav Klaus to sign the Lisbon treaty.

His plea comes as the Czech constitutional court was hearing a complaint on Tuesday by 17 Czech senators who want a 15-member panel to decide whether the treaty forms the legal foundations for the creation of a European "superstate".

The senators, backed by Klaus, the only EU leader not to have signed the treaty, argue that if it does, then it violates the Czech constitution.

However, Klaus last week said that his last remaining objections to the treaty – obligations made by the Charter on Fundamental Rights – had been removed.

Speaking exclusively to this website on Tuesday, Barroso said he hoped that this meant the treaty could now be signed.

He said, "I hope president Klaus is now satisfied and this will be an end to the matter. I also hope it means there will be no more obstructions to the ratification process."

"It is important this process is completed as soon as possible not least because we need legal clarity for the formation of the new commission."

The commission's mandate is due to end on 31 October and most observers believe that the current Barroso-led executive will stay in office until the treaty is signed by all 27 member states.

Should the Czech court find that the treaty does not affect sovereignty; the EU will then be able to begin implementing its reforms, including the appointment of a new permanent EU president, possibly paving the way for Tony Blair to assume power.

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