In the face of global financial crisis, fears of protectionism within the 27-nation European Union have mounted as the Czech EU presidency called for a special summit at the end of this month to address the problem.

"We can't allow any protectionism in any sector," Czech Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek told a press conference on Tuesday after chairing a EU finance ministers' meeting in Brussels.

Kalousek said the message was clear, "No protectionism!" As protectionism was a threat to the economy and the risks of protectionism "are much greater" , he said.

"We need to fight protectionism comprehensively," he said, denying that his determination of anti-protectionism had anything to do with French President Nicolas Sarkozy's remarks that French carmakers should move their plants home from the Czech Republic.

Sarkozy said last week carmarkers receiving state aid should keep production in France and consider relocating their plants in the Czech Republic back home.

"I'm certain that I didn't mention France and I didn't mention the car industry," Kalousek replied to a question whether the Czech concern about protectionism was because of direct connection to the issue.

Besides, the recent announcement by France of 6.5 billion-euro emergency state loans to its car industry triggered worries from the European Commission, which has asked for clarification as the EU executive body would like to make sure that the French rescue plan should be in line with EU competition regulations.

(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2009)