Czechs tell Ireland: ‘We won’t need your help after accession’

Date: 28/06/01

By David Cronin and John Shelley

IRISH 'No' campaigners who argued that the Nice Treaty presented a raw deal for ex-communist states seeking EU membership have been criticised by the chief Czech negotiator in the enlargement talks.

State secretary for European affairs Pavel Telicka told European Voice: "We appreciate that the Irish 'No' side has concerns about what will happen to us after accession, but we can take care of ourselves."

One argument put forward by the No campaign was that, unlike when Ireland joined the European Community in 1973, applicant states would not enter the Union on terms equal to existing members when Nice comes into effect.

For instance, small EU countries will no longer have the automatic right to appoint a commissioner.

However, Telicka differed with Commission President Romano Prodi's suggestion that the Nice Treaty was legally unnecessary for accepting new entrants: the Czech view was that ratification would "very much facilitate enlargement".

He also referred to a visit to Prague earlier this month by enlargement commissioner Gunter Verheugen, who allegedly informed Prime Minister Milos Zeman that the country's EU membership bid would be jeopardised if his right-wing rival Vaclav Klaus won the 2002 general election.

Although Verheugen has declined to confirm making those remarks, Telicka accepts he probably did. "It's true that Vaclav Klaus is less integrationist-minded than many Czech politicians. But every political party in our country is in favour of EU accession. That's the reality."

• SLOVAKIA, and Latvia have agreed to accept transition periods of up to seven years before their workers are allowed full free movement rights after accession to the EU. Sweden also managed yesterday (27 June) to clinch a deal with Slovakia on the free movement of capital and with Lithuania on the environment chapter.Gunnar Lund, Swedish ambassador to the EU, expressed concern about Poland's progress - it is now joint third from bottom in the league table showing the number of chapters each applicant has closed. "It's obvious from the table that they are slipping behind. They are acutely aware of this, as are we."

Irish 'No' campaigners who argued that the Nice Treaty presented a raw deal for ex-communist states seeking EU membership have been criticised by the chief Czech negotiator in the enlargement talks.