EU heavyweights warned against protectionism 

During an online chat held today (10 February) on the Czech EU Presidency's website, Topolánek played down his differences with French President Nicolas Sarkozy over protectionism (EurActiv 09/02/090). But he said he would be happy if these "media exchanges" resulted in an extraordinary EU summit against protectionism. 

"If big countries continue to behave in a protectionist way, they will only repeat the scenario of the 1930s. I recommend the leaders of these big countries to take a quick glance at their history books," wrote Topolánek. 

Although his country is not yet a member of the euro zone, Topolánek strongly criticised eurozone countries' response to the global crisis. 

"The response of the eurozone countries to the financial and economic crisis deformed the joint project of the euro more than any other imaginable event. Most of the national states using the euro started breaking the common rules by their declarations as well as by practical steps, while the basic anchor of the whole process is to adhere to these common rules," said the Czech premier.

"If member states continue to prefer an individualistic and protectionist approach, and if they choose to become free riders of the system and continue breaking the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact, then there is a big danger of watering down the whole project," Topolánek warned, adding: "Although we are not members of the euro zone, we want to become the guardians of the rules which have to be followed." 

Questioned over his attitude vis-à-vis French President Nicolas Sarkozy, widely considered to have remained active in EU affairs despite no longer being at the EU's helm, Topolánek minimised the relevance of his influence. 

"Even though the French Presidency ended on 31 December, French influence is still present, which is normal with a country of such size. Sarkozy is perhaps targeting his proclamations more towards the French audience than the rest of the EU […] The fact that the French media are racing to multiply his statements is a picture of the media or political culture in France, not of the real state of things," explained the Czech prime minister. 

In the meantime, the Slovak Prime minister Robert Fico issued an unusaully strong-worded statement against French protectionism, EurActiv Slovakia reported. 

"If France becomes protectionist, we'll send Gaz de France back home," he stated after a govenment session, held in Bratislava.