From today, Slovakia has joined 13 western European states in providing a single emergency telephone number: 112. The current emergency numbers - 150 fire), 155 (ambulance), and 158 (police) - will continue to function until 2007.

There will also be operators who speak foreign languages available on the service.

The new system is costing the state approximately Sk400 million (€9.6 million).

Compiled by Conrad Toft from press reports

The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.