Klaus says he considered resignation over Lisbon's ratification

Klaus said he did not take the step because it was already the Maastricht Treaty, taking effect in 1993, that caused the U-turn in the functioning of the European Union.

Klaus recalled that the Czech Republic had not yet been a EU member in 1993 when it dealt with the transformation of its economy.

He said he would like to return before the Maastricht Treaty that was prepared in the late 1980s if this was possible.

Klaus recently demanded an opt-out for Czechs from the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, incorporated in the Lisbon treaty. Other EU countries accepted the demand.

He has been a staunch opponent of the Lisbon treaty, which resulted in the Czech Republic being the last EU country to ratify it. He signed the document on November 3 after the Czech Constitutional Court dismissed a complaint against the treaty, filed by senators who share Klaus's view on it.

Klaus claims that the Czech Republic will lose its sovereignty with Lisbon treaty taking effect. He also said democracy will be restricted in the EU.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz