Czech court set to rule on EU treaty

The Czech constitutional court will today begin a hearing on whether the reforms contained in the Lisbon treaty impinge on the country's sovereignty, reports the Telegraph.

According to the paper, the court will hear a complaint by 17 Czech senators calling for a 15-member panel to assess whether the treaty could lead to the creation of a European "superstate".

The FT says EU governments are growing more confident that they can convince Czech president Václav Klaus, described by the paper as "recalcitrant", of the benefits of signing the treaty.

The Irish Times reports Sweden's European affairs minister Cecilia Malmström as saying there is still not enough clarity on Czech ratification to begin talks on the new jobs it will create.

The former MEP was speaking in Luxembourg at an EU foreign affairs ministers meeting.

Klaus is reportedly set to sign if the Czech constitutional court rules it is compatible with the constitution and wins an opt-out from the charter of fundamental rights.

Meanwhile, coverage continues of Tony Blair's bid for the job of EU president, with the Irish Times reporting on UK foreign secretary David Miliband's "impassioned plea" to appoint the former UK prime minister.

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