President Vaclav Klaus

US singers Joan Baez, Lou Reed and Suzanne Vega performed Saturday at a concert in Prague paying homage to former Czech president Vaclav Havel, a hero of the Velvet Revolution 20 years ago. "These artists, passionate about freedom, were in solidarity with us at the darkest time," Havel, 73, said at the start of the concert at an old church transformed into a cultural centre. "They continue to be loyal to us," said the playwright and former political prisoner. Havel was one of the leaders of the November 1989 Velvet Revolution, which toppled communist rule in then Czechoslovakia. He was president of Czechoslovakia from ... Read Full Story

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union will quickly appoint its first long-term president and a powerful foreign policy chief after ratifying a treaty on Tuesday to give the 27-country bloc more influence on the world stage. Czech President Vaclav Klaus signed the treaty after his country's constitutional court threw out a legal challenge, ending eight years of wrangling that held up reforms to make the EU function better. "President Klaus' decision marks an important and historic step for all of Europe," British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said. "Today is a day when Europe looks forward, when it sets aside years of debate on its ... Read Full Story

The Czech Republic's Constitutional Court on Tuesday ruled that the European Union's reform treaty is legal, clearing the the final hurdle to it becoming law throughout the 27-nation bloc. Czech President Vaclav Klaus, the last EU leader holding out against the Lisbon Treaty, had promised not to put up any more obstacles if it was cleared by the court. The eurosceptic president did not immediately say however whether or when he would sign the treaty, which aims to streamline EU decision-making and would name a new European president. But Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer said he was "satisfied" with the verdict and that he ... Read Full Story

Czech President Vaclav Klaus gave Tuesday the long-awaited final seal of approval to the European Union's reforming Lisbon Treaty, clearing the way for the bloc to find a new president. The ardent eurosceptic became the last EU leader to sign the landmark document into law after the top Czech court ruled that it was in line with the country's constitution. Even after announcing that he had signed the treaty, Klaus remained critical of the document. "I cannot agree with its contents since after the validation of the Lisbon Treaty... the Czech Republic will cease to be a sovereign state," he told reporters. Swedish Prime ... Read Full Story

The Czech Republic's top court is expected to pass a verdict Tuesday that could push the European Union's key Lisbon Treaty within one step of full ratification, eagerly awaited by the 27-member bloc. If the constitutional court rules that the text -- designed to streamline EU governance -- is in line with the country's constitution, it will pave the way for eurosceptic Czech President Vaclav Klaus to ratify the document. His signature will effectively put the treaty in force as Klaus is the last EU leader holding out on signing the text that must be ratified by all members to take effect. "Under international ... Read Full Story