Archive of articles - November 2002, page 15

Enlargement talks reach last lap

LEADERS of all 15 European Union (EU) countries at a summit in Brussels formally accepted Slovakia as a prospective member, along with nine other candidate countries.The accord struck at the summit on October 24 and 25 after hours of heated debate also clarified a number of financial issues relating to EU enlargement, including levels of farming and regional aid.EU politicians concluded that all 10 candidate countries recommended for EU entry in 2004 should be able to conclude negotiations before a landmark summit in Copenhagen in mid-December. This removes one of the last obstacles to EU membership for Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus and Malta.

Quote of the Week

Reader feedback: Change is needed

VAT hike to affect hotel prices

Peugeot scouting in central Europe

Accord to combat football hooliganism

Majský jailed: No applause before the curtain drops

IT IS TEMPTING to see the arrest of businessman Jozef Majský as a sign that times are changing in Slovakia - that even wealthy rogues can be brought to justice, and that even the most intricate frauds will not go unpunished.We should resist the temptation, however. Not only must we presume Majský innocent of the charges - fraud and racketeering in connection with the disastrous spring 2002 collapse of a pyramid fund scheme - but we must remember he has so far only been remanded in custody. The road to his eventual trial and a verdict will be long, and full of incentives for justice to falter.

Countrywide Events

BRATISLAVAWESTERN SLOVAKIACENTRAL SLOVAKIAEASTERN SLOVAKIA

Don't call me that!

Illegal practice of dual pricing still rife

WHILE Slovakia is closing one chapter after another in its march towards EU entry, some of the country's businesses still apply a discriminatory double-tier pricing policy and charge foreigners higher fees than natives.The practice of dual pricing at hotels, travel agencies, museums, opera houses and car parks has long been a negative feature of the tourist landscape in Slovakia, often coming as an unpleasant surprise to foreigners who are not accustomed to this practice.Although Slovakia, over the last four years, has managed to cut down on the number of businesses that ask a modest sum from locals and a higher fee for foreigners, a number of businesses, including those that are state-owned, still apply the discriminatory rule.

Around Slovakia

Wind takes life, fallen trees block roadsMumified heart found in wallButter labels buy computersAccused murderer says victim fell on knifePacket of ivory seizedMan attempts suicide by fireBoy jumps to death

Gays and lesbians seek protection against workplace discrimination

SLOVAK gays and lesbians are demanding the speedy passage of an anti-discrimination bill that would provide them with legal safeguards against discrimination in the workplace.Members of Slovakia's homosexual community say they are victims of discrimination in all walks of life and many claim to have been victims of at least one violent attack because of their sexual orientation, according to a recent survey. The same report showed that 76 per cent of Slovak gays and lesbians would leave Slovakia if they had the opportunity.

EU, Nato entry support remains high

Local art goes global

Potential competitors to ST submit bids

New jail for dangerous offenders

EU entry to put Slovakia on the map

AS SLOVAKIA prepares to enter the European Union in 2004, its anaemic travel and tourism sector should get a significant boost from the increased availability of state and EU financial support, say industry insiders.Despite a wealth of natural and historical attractions, Slovakia has chronically lagged behind its neighbours in the area of tourism, mostly due to lack of government support and insufficient promotion abroad, travel experts say. This has led to the country remaining below most travellers' radar screens."I wasn't aware of the country before I came here myself in February," the newly established European Commission ambassador to Slovakia, Eric van den Linden, told The Slovak Spectator.

Trade deficit worsens in September

Security-firm employee accused