PRAGUE, Czech Republic, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Euroskeptic Czech President Vaclav Klaus has vetoed a law making his country a party to the European arrest warrant, Czech Television reported Tuesday.
The law is designed to give courts across Europe a quick and easy method of extraditing suspected criminals and is seen by Brussels as a step forward in its battle against organized crime.
Klaus, however, said introducing the European arrest warrant into Czech law would represent a violation of national sovereignty. He said it was another example of the European Union attempting to dismantle the nation state behind the backs of ordinary citizens.
Klaus is a vocal opponent of further European integration and has pledged to use his influence to try and prevent any further erosion of national sovereignty.
The Czech President's veto powers can be overridden in parliament by a simple majority.
The Czech Republic joined the European Union on May 1 this year.
