Czech President declines comment on Lisbon Treaty

Czech President Vaclav Klaus declined to say today how he would proceed in ratification of the European Union's Lisbon Treaty after the document was approved by Irish voters in a referendum.

He said he could not sign until a pending court review is over.

"The question does not exist today. Today I have a ban...until the Constitutional Court releases something," Klaus told reporters.

The Czech Republic and Poland have yet to back the treaty which will streamline decision-making in the 27-nation bloc.

The Treaty would mean Malta will get a sixth seat in the EU. The national parliament, like the other national parliaments in EU states, would have a greater say in EU law-making, while Malta would retain its Commissioner in the European Commission.