ForMin refutes report on Schwarzenberg's ultimatum

Prague, Jan 12 (CTK) - The Czech Foreign Ministry dismissed the information released by yesterday's Lidove noviny (LN) daily that its head, TOP 09 leader Karel Schwarzenberg, wants the country to unconditionally join the new budget and economic union and give up its budget sovereignty.

LN writes that TOP 09 would leave the Czech coalition government if it does not sign the new budget and economic union, citing Schwarzenberg.

"I won't be a part of a government that would be leading the Czech Republic aside the main stream of European integration," Schwarzenberg told LN.

The ministry said the latest draft of the treaty on a new budget and economic union is far more advantageous for the Czech Republic, however, the decision on the signing will depend on the wording of the final text.

LN recalls yesterday that the Czech accession to the budget union treaty is opposed by President Vaclav Klaus.

Klaus yesterday criticised TOP 09 and Schwarzenberg for threatening to leave the government.

Czech MEP Jan Zahradil (senior ruling Civic Democrats, ODS) said Schwarzenberg's statement confirms the suspicion that TOP 09 is seeking a pretext to leave the government and to start building a pro-European alliance with the opposition Social Democrats (CSSD).

Senate deputy head Alena Gajduskova (CSSD) supported Schwarzenberg's stance. "Being a part of the main stream of European integration is a real interest of the Czech Republic, not only from the economic point of view," she said.

Prime Minister Petr Necas (ODS) has not yet announced the definitive stand on the EU treaty, saying the text is being constantly modified.