THE EU flag flew briefly over Czech president Vaclav Klaus's castle this week shortly before the outspoken leader hosted European Commission president José Manuel Barroso to mark the start of the Czech EU presidency, writes Jamie Smyth
But the event did not mark a change of heart from the Czech president: it was a stunt by a Greenpeace activist who scaled a flagpole to protest against his sceptical views on climate change.
Inside the castle Mr Klaus did agree to fly an EU flag for a 20-minute session with Mr Barroso but he quickly let it be known he was not a supporter of the Lisbon Treaty.
"I hope Mr Barroso comes here more often and I convert him," he said, to laughter from reporters.
Mr Barroso quickly retorted that he had known Mr Klaus for years and had always had "interesting exchanges" with him.
He also suggested that Mr Klaus had agreed to sign the treaty into law in the Czech Republic if the two houses of the Czech parliament finally ratify it this year.
Not to be outdone, Mr Klaus said he wanted to use the Czech presidency to launch a major debate on the EU project. In an article in the Financial Times this week, he said the EU should loosen or repeal its labour, environmental and health restrictions to combat the economic crisis.
