Sarkozy's statement on car production threatens Lisbon treaty ratification in Czech Republic: PM

Special Report:Global Financial Crisis

PRAGUE, Feb. 8 (Chinese media) -- French President Nicolas

Sarkozy has threatened the ratification of the Lisbon treaty by his statement

about the production of French cars in the Czech Republic, Czech Prime Minister

Mirek Topolanek said, according to local media on Sunday.

Topolanek, whose country holds the six-month EU

presidency, called Sarkozy's statement unbelievable, the report said.

"If someone wanted to seriously threaten the

ratification of the Lisbon treaty, he could not have chosen better means and

time for it," Topolanek, chairman of the Civic Democrats (ODS), said commenting

on Sarkozy's words.

Sarkozy told journalists on Thursday in a TV

interview that it is unjustifiable that French car brands made abroad, for

instance in the Czech Republic, should be sold in France, indirectly alluding to

the French car maker PSA Peugeot Citroen which has a plant in the Czech

Republic.

Sarkozy also said it is necessary to prevent the

relocation of factories abroad to save jobs in France and that the French plants

in other countries should move back to France if possible.

Czech politicians have so far commented on Sarkozy's

words moderately.

Czech Industry Minister Martin Riman pointed out that

the PSA Peugeot Citroen is a private firm that makes decision independently and

it would not accept Sarkozy's appeal.

Czech Deputy PM for European Affairs Alexandr Vondra

warned against the threat of more extensive protectionism in Europe.

The Czech Chamber of Deputies interrupted a debate on

the Lisbon treaty on Wednesday. The ODS, along with the opposition Communists

(KSCM) and some junior government Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL) pushed through

the postponement.

On Friday, the Czech Chamber of Deputies sent the

KSCM's bill on a referendum on the Lisbon treaty to second reading.

The lower house should continue the ratification

process of the Lisbon treaty on February 17.

The Czech Republic is the only EU member state that

has not yet decided on the Lisbon treaty to reform the EU institutions.

Twenty-five EU countries have already ratified the

treaty in parliament. Ireland rejected it in a referendum last June. However,

the Irish referendum may be repeated this year.