Klaus hits back at European Parliament critics
Czech President Vaclav Klaus on Thursday sent a strongly-worded letter to European Parliament President Josep Borrell warning him against attempts to stop EU citizens freely criticising the European Union.
His letter came a day after Alejo Vidal-Quadras Roca, deputy chair of the European Parliament, described as "nonsense" Klaus's claim that the EU Constitution's ratification would create a European super-state.
Jo Leinen, head of the European Parliament's constitutional committee, also accused Klaus of leading an aggressive campaign in a joint press conference.
"It would really be a pity if, because of this Eurosceptic and this misleading campaign, the Czech Republic were in danger of isolating itself and ended on the periphery of European politics," Leinen said, adding that Klaus was harming his country's interests with his stance.
Klaus said on Thursday he had written to Borrell insisting freedom of speech was each EU citizen's right and calling for Borell to make his viewpoint clear in the row.
"An open discussion of the vital question of the direction of the European Union, of which the Czech Republic is a full member, is a vital need and right of all citizens of member states," said Klaus in his letter.
"The European Union must remain an open arena for democratic discussions and citizens of its members states must have the right to divide freely, without pressure and silencing or even intimidation about its future. Only in this case does the Czech Republic's entry to the European Union make sense," he added.
Criticism such as that voiced by Vidal-Quadras and Leinen was an attack on a sovereign member state, he said.
Source: AFP
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