CzechRep takes up EU presidency for six months.

(From Czech News Agency)

Adds further information in paras 5 and 15. -------------------- Prague, Jan 1 (CTK) - The Czech Republic has taken up the European Union (EU) rotating presidency on the arrival of the new year and it will speak on behalf of the EU and coordinate its activities in the next six months. After Slovenia, the Czech Republic is the second of the newcomers, admitted to the EU in 2004, to preside over the EU. It has taken over the presidency from France. The Czechs assume the historical role in the year in which 20 years will have elapsed since the collapse of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. The "Machine of time" giant metronome in Prague's Letna Park was lit up in European colours one minute past midnight. It will measure the time of Czech EU presidency. The new role is a big challenge for the Czech government, which has chosen "Europe Without Barriers" as its EU presidency motto. At the close of the French presidency, doubts appeared mainly in the foreign media whether Prague would be able to cope with the difficult role of EU president. Doubts have also arisen in reaction to the statements by the Eurosceptic Czech President Vaclav Klaus which, many say, have already harmed the Czech presidency. Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek's position is rather weak as he cannot rely on the opposition's support. He has failed to reach a toleration agreement with the opposition for the period of the presidency. The Czech government has dismissed all doubts about its competences at the EU helm. On the other hand, it admits that it is taking up the presidency in a difficult period when a number of tasks are ahead of the EU. Apart from tackling the financial crisis, solving climate and energy-related issues, ...