Prague - A senior Czech government official Thursday criticized French President Nicolas Sarkozy's reported efforts to boost the eurozone's influence in 2009 at the expense of countries presiding over the larger European Union.

Sarkozy is seeking to stay in control of European economic policy for at least a year, arguing that he is the only leader suitable for the task of steering Europe through the global financial crisis, the Le Monde newspaper reported Wednesday.

The daily said Sarkozy wants to head the Eurogroup, an informal grouping of the 15 nations using the euro, set to expand on January 1 when Slovakia adopts the currency.

But that would come during a year in which countries that do not use the euro - the Czech Republic and Sweden - are due to take turns in the rotating presidency of the
27-member European Union. If Sarkozy were to head the Eurogroup, that would dilute the presidency's power, said the Czech official.

"If the Eurogroup agrees to meet more frequently and to be presided by a Frenchman, we won't be likely able to prevent it," Czech Vice-Premier for European Affairs Alexandr Vondra.

"But it would be an unwise step that would divide the EU rather than unify it," he said in a statement.

On Thursday, Sarkozy reiterated his call for a European "economic government" within the framework of the eurozone countries, a proposal he first made Tuesday at the EU Parliament in Strasbourg.

"Bypass is a cure for a heart attack, but is not suitable as a method for cooperation within the EU," Vondra said. (dpa)