must read interview

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, acting president of the European Union, lost a no-confidence vote in the Czech parliament. Martin Schulz, chairman of the Socialist group in European Parliament, argues that now the EU has to struggle not just for leadership, but for its very survival."

farmer: ...but I am sure Solana already planned a way ahead...

"SPIEGEL ONLINE: Is the Lisbon Treaty now in danger?

Schulz: We'll see. The fact is, the two legislators who caused the collapse of his government were opponents of the treaty. That's not an encouraging sign.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: In April, the Czech Senate will vote on the Lisbon Treaty. What result do you expect?

Schulz: I hope it will pass. But, it's like being on the high seas. We're in God's hands.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: This fall, the Irish also plan to vote on the Lisbon Treaty. If the Czechs reject the treaty, would the Irish vote still be relevant?

Schulz: If the Czechs reject the treaty, we're going to be in a serious crisis. We might as well then bury the treaty."

read the Spiegel-interview here:

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,615705,00.html

also this weekend:

" FRIDAY, March 27

HLUBOKA NAD VLTAVOU, Czech Republic - Informal Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (Gymnich). A news conference with Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, Commissioner responsible for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner and representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana at 1630 GMT. News briefings of individual delegations at 1700 GMT.

SATURDAY, March 28

HLUBOKA NAD VLTAVOU, Czech Republic - Informal Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (Gymnich) to continue. A news conference with Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, European Commissioner responsible for enlargement Olli Rhen and representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana at 1330 GMT. News briefings of individual delegations at 1400 GMT."

http://www.iii.co.uk/news/?type=afxnews&articleid=7239645&action=article

stay tuned!
farmer