EU chief Barroso to meet Zeman

Prague, Feb 22 (CTK) - European Commission President Jose Barroso wants to meet the newly elected Czech president Milos Zeman, who will be sworn-in on March 8, as soon as possible, Czech EU Commissioner Stefan Fuele told reporters after a meeting with Zeman Friday.

Zeman will fly the EU flag at Prague Castle some day between March 16-30, he told reporters Friday, adding that the exact date is not known yet.

He invited Barroso to the ceremony.

Fuele, commissioner for enlargement and European neighbourhood policy, said he would return to Brussels with "some positive messages" from Zeman.

Closely after Fuele, French Ambassador to Prague Pierre Levy arrived in Zeman's office to convey congratulations on his election from French President Francois Hollande.

"EC President Barroso is very much interested in a meeting with president Zeman to be held as soon as possible," Fuele said.

He added that he had brought Barroso's personal invitation and messages for Zeman.

After his victory in the January direct presidential election, Zeman invited Barroso to Prague Castle, the presidential seat, to jointly hoist the EU flag there.

Zeman's Eurosceptical predecessor, outgoing President Vaclav Klaus resolutely refused to fly the EU flag at Prague Castle.

After Fuele, Zeman discussed the situation in Europe and economic issue with Levy.

They also touched upon the tender for the completion of the Temelin nuclear power plant, south Bohemia, from which French Areva was eliminated. Levy said the company regretted it.

"We also talked about the operation in African Mali and about how important it is to fight against terrorism," Levy added.

The Czech Republic is sending its own military team to Mali that will guard the command in the capital of Bamako where French troops are operating.

Levy said Zeman would visit France in the future. However, they did not speak about a concrete date, he added.

Zeman then received Mohamed Ibrahim Abdal Hakam, Egyptian ambassador to the Czech Republic. They discussed the current situation in Egypt ahead of the April parliamentary elections

Hakam said he was looking forward to Zeman paying a visit to Egypt soon. He also gave Zeman the letter of congratulation from Egyptian President Muhammad Mursi.