Prague - Czech President Vaclav Klaus Saturday said that he respects Ireland's nod to the European Union's reform treaty - and then declined to reveal what would be his next step. After Irish voters approved the so-called Lisbon Treaty in a repeat referendum, Klaus is one of the last two people in the EU whose approval is required for the accord to enter into force.
The treaty also awaits signature by Polish President Lech Kaczynski, who plans to sign it without "unnecessary delay", his spokesman said.
"Of course I fully respect the Irish' decision," Klaus told reporters after addressing an anti-Lisbon rally at the gates of his seat, the Prague Castle.
The Czech president, a fierce opponent of the treaty and deeper EU integration, added that the Irish referendum was stained as it was a repeat vote conducted under pressure from Brussels.
When addressing the rally attended by about 300 supporters, he expressed disappointment at the Irish voters.
"The Irish had their last chance to say something," he said. "They did. But it is evident that they spoke for the last time because there will be no more referendums in Europe after today's Irish referendum."
Klaus declined to say what would be his next step, arguing that he is currently barred from signing the treaty until the country's Constitutional Court rules on a recently lodged challenge against the Lisbon Treaty.
"Today, as you may have noticed, I am banned from signing it before anything further is issued by the Constitutional Court," the president said. He estimated that the top court could rule on the 59- page challenge "within a month".
Klaus has been attacked for allegedly dragging out the Czech ratification process until the British general election - to be held by June 2010 - which could kill the treaty, as the British Conservatives, who are seen as likely winners, vowed to hold a referendum on the pact if it is not yet adopted. The treaty is also unpopular with many voters in Britain.
But Klaus appeared to signal that he was not going to help the Tories with their plan.
"I am afraid that the people of Britain should have been doing something really much earlier and not just now, too late saying something and waiting for my decision," he said.
Klaus confirmed earlier that Britain's Conservative Party leader David Cameron informed him about the referendum plan. But he also said that it would not likely influence his stance.
The charter must be approved by all 27 members to become valid. The EU hopes that it would enter into force on January 1. It remains unclear when the Czech top court would rule on the anti-Lisbon challenge.
