Czechs act over ‘protectionist’ Paris

Czech PM and European Council President Mirek Topolánek agreed with European Commission President Barroso, 9 February 2009 on the idea of calling an informal summit of EU leaders to be held before the end of February 2009. The summit is expected to address joint action by the EU in fighting the consequences of the financial crisis.

Article reports that tensions between Prague and Paris rose after the Czech republic called the emergency European summit in protest at 'protectionist' plans to bail out France’s car industry.

Czech Republic: EU Presidency: Press Relase, 9.2.09: Presidency and Commission consider convening informal European Council http://www.eu2009.cz/en/news-and-documents/news/presidency-and-commission-consider-convening-informal-european-council-9211/

EurActiv, 10.2.09: French auto bail-out plan raises EU protectionism fears http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/french-auto-bail-plan-raises-eu-news-221143

EurActiv, 9.2.09: Czechs call extraordinary EU summit on protectionism http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/czechs-call-extraordinary-eu-sum-news-221117

ESO: Background information: Sarkozy to unveil details of €6bn car aid http://www.europeansources.info/record/france-opts-for-e6bn-car-bail-out/

BBC News, 10.2.09: EU moves to prevent protectionism http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7880748.stm

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