The Czech constitutional court has adjourned its hearing on the Lisbon Treaty.
The court heard arguments against the treaty from President Vaclav Klaus this morning.
Mr Klaus said it 'runs counter to the principle of sovereignty of the Czech state' and that it 'will weaken our country's weight in decision-making in the EU.'
He also said today he might sign the treaty only after it is ratified by Ireland, even if it is cleared by the court and approved by parliament.
Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Alexandr Vondra, speaking on behalf of the centre-right coalition government backing the treaty, said that under the treaty 'powers will not be transferred to an extent that would mean a loss of sovereignty.'
Judge-rapporteur Vojen Gurtler earlier read objections to the treaty raised by Czech senators.
If it is approved by the court, the treaty will be debated by parliament where it is likely to pass on the votes of most of the governing coalition MPs and the opposition Social Democrats. The treaty must then be signed by the president.
The Court is to resume tomorrow morning.
The lower house of parliament approved the Treaty, but the upper house, the Senate, referred it to the Constitutional Court - based in the city of Brno - for a ruling on its compatibility with the Czech Constitution.
The court had been considering the matter since the end of August, and was due to give its ruling today, but not before a final public hearing.
This decision was due two weeks ago, but President Klaus insisted it be put back so he could appear before the court in person, as he was on a State visit to Ireland at the time.
The Czech Republic takes over the presidency of the European Union after Christmas.
