Czech president warned not to delay treaty

BRUSSELS, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy has warned that the Czech Republic would face repercussions if it holds up ratification of the EU's Lisbon Treaty.

While praising Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer during a European Union meeting in Brussels, Sarkozy criticized Czech Republic President Vaclav Klaus, who has indicated he would delay as long as possible signing the treaty that would reorganize how the EU operates, the EUObserver reported Thursday.

One of the final roadblocks to the treaty could be removed during a referendum Oct. 2 in Ireland. All European Union members must ratify the Lisbon Treaty for it to go into effect.

"I stated clearly that if the Irish say 'yes,' there is no question that we will accept to stay in a no man's land with a Europe that does not have the institutions to cope with the crisis," Sarkozy said.