Czech Republic president Václav Klaus today signalled his view that his country's upcoming presidency of the European Union should neither bring Europe closer to the Lisbon Treaty nor to a more centralised union.
Mr Klaus, who is deeply eurosceptic, said that the slogan of the Czech six-month presidency, beginning next January, was 'Europe Without Barriers'.
He said that some said the slogan was non-dramatic and non-ambitious. He said that what it did not say was "the sooner the Lisbon Treaty the better".
Speaking in Dublin at a lunch in hosted by Taoiseach Brian Cowen in his honour, Mr Klaus said he could politically say the Czech Republic was a stable, developed and advanced country that belonged to the family of major European countries.
"Our membership of the European Union is one of the confirmations of that achievement and we are grateful to Irieland's support," he said.
Saying that the relationship between both countries was "excellent and problem-free", he said that there was a common interest in the further enlargement of the EU.
But he pointed out that there was also a need to make it more "open, functional and accountable to citizens in the member states".
Taoiseach Brian Cowen told Mr Klaus Ireland was committed to finding a solution to the Lisbon Treaty but that the fears of the Irish people will have to be allayed.
Speaking after meeting Mr Klaus, the Taoiseach said the Government had undertaken to come back to the issue next month, with a view to "defining the elements of a solution and a common path to be followed".
"We are determined, therefore, to find a solution with regard to the Lisbon Treaty within a reasonable timeframe," said Mr Cowen.
"However, it is imperative that we find the right solution. This means that we must find ways of allaying the concerns raised by the Irish people. We must do so, however, in a manner that proves acceptable to our EU partners."
Mr Cowen said Ireland was determined to work with other EU states and the institutions to find a solution to the current situation.
"It is my strongly held view that Ireland’s prospects are completely interwoven with those of our European partners and our future lies firmly within the European Union. Notwithstanding the result of our June referendum, the Irish people clearly want us to be fully engaged in the development of the union," he said.
"Recent events have shown the critical value of our membership of the eurozone and access to the support of the European Central Bank. This has reinforced our belief that we can best advance our interests by working with like-minded countries in tackling the challenges and opportunities we face."
Mr Klaus met the Taoiseach as part of a three-day state visit.
The two leaders also discussed the global financial crisis and bilateral relations between Ireland and the Czech Republic.
The Czech Republic will assume the presidency of the European Council on January 1st.
The Taoiseach said Mr Klaus's visit would only help to strengthen bilateral relations between the Czech Republic and Ireland.
"Irish companies have shown great interest in the Czech Republic and the considerable potential its economy offers, both as an export market and as a local production base for the wider Central European market. As a result, a growing number of Irish companies are now active in your country," he said.
"Our shared membership of the European Union greatly facilitates our trade and bilateral relations."
Mr Klaus earlier met President Mary McAleese privately after a ceremonial welcome this morning. It included a joint guard of honour drawn from the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, a 21-gun salute and Air Corps fly-past.
A State dinner will be held for Mr Klaus and his wife Livia Klausová tonight. He is to have dinner with anti-Lisbon campaigner Declan Ganley of Libertas tomorrow. The Government was said to have complained to the Czech embassy about the decision to meet with Mr Ganley.
Mr Klaus, an opponent of the Lisbon Treaty, was the first EU leader following the Irish No vote to declare it dead.
In September, Mr Klaus pledged to support Mr Ganley to launch the group as a pan-EU political party.
In 2005, Mr Klaus called for the EU to be scrapped and replaced by a free-trade area called the "organisation of European states". He has also previously described the EU as a "failed and bankrupt entity".
