Sarkozy's warning that enlargement would not continue unless the Lisbon Treaty enters into force continues to make waves, especially in the countries where the ratification of the new EU treaty is running into difficulties.
"It simply is not true. Enlargement can go ahead even without the treaty," Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra said, speaking in English in a 7 July interview for the Bloomberg news agency. "It's kind of a lie. It's not impossible. It's about political will," he added.
The Czechs "have this political will" and will pursue expansion to southern and south-eastern Europe as one of their main topics when they hold the six-month EU presidency from January, said Vondra, who is in charge of European affairs.
But pursuing enlargement is easier said than done. Diplomats have often admitted that it would not be difficult to reach agreement over the admission of Croatia, a candidate considered almost fit for accession and enjoying strong support among EU members. But for other prospective new members, the prevailing opinion is that the enlargement perspective should be kept until the countries are ready. Yet no other candidate is conisdered capable of being fit to join in the medium term.
According to one diplomat, if Sarkozy persists with his hard line, the only victim will in fact be Croatia. France is isolated on the issue, the diplomat told EurActiv, adding that Paris on one side and Prague and Warsaw on the other had "many things to say to each other," calling for them to be open on whatever is dividing them instead of "taking enlargement hostage".
