Prague - The current Czech presidency of the European Union has called for a common approach to the financial and economic crisis from EU members, ahead of a special union summit in Brussels on Sunday.

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said in a statement from Prague on Saturday that "We do not want any new dividing lines; we do not want a Europe divided along a North-South or an East-West line."

Several Eastern European economies appear to be faring even worse than recession-hit western European states, in the face of rapidly weakening exchange rates and large current account deficits.

Topolanek warned against unilateral or protectionist measures by EU states, saying that the pursuit of "a beggar-thy-neighbour policy is unacceptable. That the internal market remains united is of vital importance."

The special EU summit is expected to focus particularly upon the stricken car manufacturing sector in Europe, as well as the Eastern European banking sector, another victim of the recent economic turmoil.

Topolanek urged that "all efforts and measures to fight the economic crisis within the EU must respect the principle of solidarity, but they also require that all players show responsibility." (dpa)