Prague - The Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek on Friday publicly criticized French President Nicolas Sarkozy for comments made during a French TV interview about French cars being made in the Czech Republic.

In the interview broadcast on Thursday evening, Sarkozy said it was "irresponsible for cars for the French market to be produced in the Czech Republic."

Topolanek said such a position was incomprehensible, adding, "Attempts to introduce such protectionism and defences during the financial crisis could threaten to slow any revival of the European economy."

The spat has extra resonance as the Czech Republic has just inherited the revolving presidency of the European Council from France.

Topolanek said that his country, as EU Council president, would protect the principle of "the same rules for all" even if the French president was set on protecting his country, saying the free market was the basis of the European Union.

Topolanek is known to have a particular concern about state interference in private companies.

Sarkozy was referring to the production of Citroen and Peugeot cars at the Kolin production plant in the Czech Republic.

Sarkozy's criticism in the same interview of Britain's decision to cut sales tax to spur consumer spending as a "mistake" which had "absolutely not worked" sparked a similar diplomatic spat with London on Friday.

The Slovakian Economic Minister Lubomir Jahnatek also criticized apparent moves towards protectionism Friday. "It is really bad when some countries now begin to want to take protectionist measures," he said.

International commentators have queried whether the Czech Republic is as well placed to lead the EU during the current global economic crisis as France was. (dpa)