Czech PM puts off EU trip after plane trouble

(PRAGUE) - Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer put off a crucial visit to Brussels until next Tuesday after his plane broke down ahead of a scheduled trip on Wednesday, a government spokesman said.

Instead of a personal meeting, Fischer spoke to European Union officials via video-conference to discuss the EU's reforming Lisbon Treaty, whose ratification has been delayed by eurosceptic Czech President Vaclav Klaus.

"I'm not saying his trip has been cancelled, it has been put off till Tuesday," Roman Prorok told AFP, adding that Fischer would meet European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels next week.

Fischer, Barroso, Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt of Sweden, the current EU presidency holder, and European Parliament head Jerzy Buzek on Wednesday used a video link-up to discuss the treaty, which has also still to be ratified by the Polish president.

Polish President Lech Kaczynski has suggested he would sign the text within days, but Klaus has been silent about his intentions with the treaty, meant to streamline decision-making in the 27-nation bloc.

The treaty is now under the microscope in the Czech constitutional court, which has ordered Klaus to delay signing until it rules on a complaint by fellow-eurosceptic lawmakers.

While Reinfeldt on Wednesday urged the EU not to pressure Klaus, Fischer said he could see no reason for the president to put off his signature if the constitutional court decides the treaty is in line with the Czech constitution.

The Czech government "has created all the conditions for the treaty to be ratified by the end of the year," Fischer added.

The court said earlier it expected to set a date for its final ruling "within three weeks," meaning two weeks from now.

Klaus has shied away from contact with other EU leaders since the treaty cleared a crucial hurdle Friday, winning approval of Irish voters in a referendum.

The treaty must be approved by all 27 EU members before it can come into force.