Czechs seek a deal with EU on reform treaty

Czech Premier Jan Fischer says his Cabinet is ready to work out a deal with the European Union to complete ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by the end of the year. President Vaclav Klaus demanded last week an opt-out from the Charter of Fundamental Rights as a condition for ratifying the reform treaty.

Czech Premier Jan Fischer says his Cabinet is ready to work out a deal with the European Union to complete ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by the end of the year. President Vaclav Klaus demanded last week an opt-out from the Charter of Fundamental Rights as a condition for ratifying the reform treaty.

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Fischer says the deal should be completed at the EU summit on Oct. 29-30.

Klaus criticizes the 27-nation bloc as undemocratic and dominated by the biggest states. He is the last hurdle in the ratification process of the treaty designed to increase Europe's influence on the global stage.