Czech Republic President's spokesman warns EU to keep off his property

Prague Daily Monitor
Sep. 07, 2005

(PDM staff with CTK) 6 September - The spokesman of President Vaclav Klaus has mounted a signpost on the edge of his private estate welcoming passers-by to the Czech Republic and informing them that the EU does not extend beyond the perimeter of his private property.

The sign, written in Czech and English, is furnished with the Czech coat of arms and a distinctly crossed-out EU flag.

"Some people write 'no trespassing' on their signs and I simply put this there instead", explains Petr Hajek, the spokesman of an EU-member's head of state.

Though he concedes the sign is in part a playful exaggeration, he points out it does reflect his opinion.

Hajek is known for his irritation with EU symbols. When asked why an EU flag was not hoisted beside the Czech flag on Prague Castle during last year's elections to the European Parliament, Hajek responded: "We did not even consider doing so, it never crossed our minds. The mere thought is chilling to me, I just recollect those Soviet banners".