A great politician from a small country

Václav Havel, who died on Sunday, was one of the greatest politicians to have emerged in Central Europe, the conservative daily Lidové noviny writes, focusing on Havel's foreign policy. "Just as Havel was a staunch Atlanticist, he was also a committed European. In the referendum that took place shortly before he left Prague Castle, Havel - unlike his successor Václav Klaus - spoke out clearly in favour of the Czech Republic joining the EU. 'It seems to me that any talk of a loss of sovereignty in this context is inappropriate', he said. 'Certainly, we will lose some sovereignty in the process, namely that very part we should lose. However on the other hand the sovereignty of all upright citizens will be strengthened.' It would be good not to forget these words today. ... Havel was a great statesman. So great that Czechoslovakia and the even smaller Czech Republic were always too small for him."

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