Brussels, 23/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 23 October, the Swedish Presidency of the EU and Czech authorities appeared close to an agreement on an opt-out formula from the Charter of Fundamental Rights included in the Lisbon Treaty, which would at the same time be acceptable to the 26 other European leaders during the Council next week (29-30 October). At best, the draft text could be approved by EU27 foreign affairs ministers meeting on Monday 26 October in Luxembourg, and preparing the European summit on Thursday and Friday (see other articles below). On Friday morning, a press release from the office of President Klaus affirmed that “the Swedish Presidency's proposal, which is a response to his request related to the Lisbon Treaty ratification … corresponds to what the president has envisioned”. Mr Klaus' office, nonetheless, refused to reveal the slightest detail of the proposal. The Swedish prime minister and current acting president of the European Council was delighted with Prague's positive reaction. “I welcome the statement by President Klaus. The Presidency will continue to work with this in view of next week's European Council”, exclaimed Fredrik Reinfeldt. The Swedish Presidency's spokesperson in Brussels made no comment on the contents of the proposal but affirmed that “talks are ongoing”. The most likely option would be the European Council making a political commitment to grant the Czech Republic (and Slovakia?) the same opt-out negotiated by the United Kingdom and Poland (Protocol No.7) but without it being annexed to the treaty and without it being ratified until the next enlargement. Following on from the Irish example, it could also be imagined that the EU26 give Prague (and Bratislava?) the “guarantee” (political to begin with, then legal during the next revision of the treaties) that the Charter of Fundamental Rights will have no retroactive effect on expropriations made on the basis of the “Benes decrees”. (H.B./transl.fl)