Czech delays leaves treaty in disarray

THE fate of the Lisbon Treaty was thrown into further disarray yesterday as Czech President Vaclav Klaus indicated he would not guarantee to sign the treaty unless his latest demands were met in full, suggesting he wanted the treaty opened up and re-ratified in every member state.

EU leaders will not now appoint a new commission at their summit at the end of the month unless the Czechs finalise their ratification, sources said.

Other work such as the appointment of an EU president and a foreign relations chief will also be abandoned and hearings scheduled next month by the parliament of the new commissioners will also be off.