Prague - The Czech government would like to invite Barack Obama to meet top representatives of all 27 EU member states in Prague, said Alexandr Vondra, Czeh deputy PM for EU affairs.

Vondra would like the EU-Obama summit to take place during the Czech Republic's EU presidency in the first half of 2009, possibly in February or before a NATO summit scheduled for April.

"During my trip to the US in mid-November I should meet with some members of Obama's team. He will receive our official invitation only after his inauguration at the end of January," said Vondra.

Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek says the event should take place immediately before a NATO summit planned for April in Strasbourg and Kehl, or during an EU summit on the financial crisis planned for February.

"We are very interested in organizing the meeting between EU leaders and Barack Obama in Prague," said the premier.

Informal EU summit

Jakub Stadler from Topolánek's press department says there have long been plans to hold an informal EU summit during the Czech presidency and to invite the US president as a guest. Stadler adds that the meeting's agenda will include energy security and the US plans to build a radar base in the Czech Republic.

Czech President Václav Klaus also invited Obama to Prague in a congratulatory telegram he sent immediately after Obama's election.

"EU-US summits are held almost every year, usually before summer. Next year the meeting was to be held in US and in 2010 in Europe. However, this routine can be changed any time both sides agree on that," said Cristina Gallach, spokeswoman for Javier Solana, EU's top representative for foreign affairs and security.