Polish leader pledges not to block EU treaty
Polish President Lech Kaczynski said he will not create "obstacles" to the ratification of the EU's new Lisbon treaty following a chat with French leader Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris on Monday (14 July).
His u-turn comes despite previous suggestions that after rejection of the treaty in Ireland's 12 June referendum, it was "pointless" for the president to sign it.
Join EUobserver today
Get the EU news that really matters
Instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.
Choose your plan
... or subscribe as a group
Already a member?
Mr Kaczynski said: "The meeting was very good. I told [Mr Sarkozy] one thing: 'Of course, Poland will not be an obstacle to the treaty's ratification'," several media reported.
He also told journalists that he had agreed with the French leader on a "joint plan" concerning the EU's reform treaty, but he refused to reveal any details.
France is currently holding the six-month rotating chairmanship of the 27-strong European Union and achieving a full ratification of its reform plan is among the most crucial goals of Paris.
Speaking in the European Parliament last week, President Sarkozy promised he would seek a solution by October or December at the latest, while asking all other governments to keep their promise and allow ratification to be completed.
Referring directly to comments made by Mr Kaczynski, the French leader said: "The Polish president negotiated the treaty himself. He gave his word. He has to keep it. This is not about politics. This is about morality".
Paris previously sent the same message to the Czech Republic - also hesitant about ratification - but Prague argues that it needs to wait until the country's constitutional court rules on whether the Lisbon Treaty is in line with the Czech charter.