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CNN World Report
Czechs Want in EU, But Not Before 2003
Aired June 17, 2001 - 14:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SHIHAB RATTANSI, CNN ANCHOR: U.S. President George W. Bush's week-long trip to the five European nations included his first meeting with the leaders of the European Union. Mr. Bush left that meeting, maintaining his opposition to the Kyoto Treaty on global warming.
He did pledge his support for the EU expansion treaty. The EU has said, at the end of next year, is the deadline that will conclude negotiations with membership candidates. One applicant, the Czech Republic, acknowledges problems with the treaty, but it wants to join anyway, saying the issues can be worked out later. EUTV reports from Prague.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIM GIBBONS, EUTV CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): There are regular meetings between members of the European parliament and their opposite numbers from the application countries, like this one, held in the senate in Prague. But although the legal barriers to accepting countries like the Czech Republic into the EU have gone, there is concern that the decision-making process, at least, left problems that could paralyze a larger union.
MARIA BERGER, EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: If you see a European Union consisting of 27 member states and we would have still 35 areas, we have a neat unanimity.
GIBBONS: In fact, several EU countries have recently raised problems. The French do not want subsidies to their farmers cut, Spain doesn't want to lose financial support, and Germany and Austria want to restrict the free movement of workers, because they fear the flood of migrants. That and noise, say politicians, say they can just about understand why people living in border areas are more nervous.
EGON LANSKY, CZECH REPUBLIC SENATE MEMBER: I have more difficulty understanding politicians and evening leading politicians and even chiefs of government.
GIBBONS: Sweet harmony is what everyone would like, which is why the European Parliament wants another conference, this time involving not just governments, but (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and civil society.
INIGO MENDEZ DE VIGO, EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: The most important thing is to come count on the people to know what the people wish, in order that we, the politician, can come to the European institutions. GIBBONS: The most advanced applicants know that the treaty is flawed, but the important thing is, it allows them to join the EU. Once on the inside, they say, the details can be fixed later.
Once more, the idea of convening a conference to decide Europe's future, before they can join to take part, is something that the Czechs and others bitterly oppose.
PAVEL TALIKA, DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER: I think it is legitimate we expect to be full participants in this, which will be shaping really the European Union for the coming years.
GIBBONS: There were fears too that unless the EU goes ahead quickly, the citizens may change their minds; there's little sign of that yet, although there's not much enthusiasm either.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Of course, there should be advantages for us, and opening up the market should boost our economy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I expect there will be new opportunities for young people, the world is opening up.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am afraid we won't be able to handle the economic consequences and land prices will soar, everything will cost more, and I wonder how we Czechs will be able to deal with that.
GIBBONS: The Czechs are convinced they will be ready to join by the end of 2003. They are waiting for further reforms until after that, and they know that the treaty needs improving, but they are also concerned that domestic issues in existing EU states could cause further delay.
JURGEN SCHROEDER, EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: My job is to tell my colleagues inside of the European Union that the main problems, the big problems are with us, not with them.
GIBBONS: The parliamentarians welcoming the former-communist states of Central and Eastern Europe is a golden opportunity the EU cannot afford to miss, but it has to happen before Europe's citizens change their minds and time is running short.
Jim Gibbons, EUTV, for the CNN WORLD REPORT in Prague.
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