Archive of articles - December 2003, page 3

Sterilisation claims stain Slovakia's image

ALTHOUGH much has been said about Roma problems and both foreign and domestic delegations have continued visiting Roma settlements throughout the year, Slovak society seems no closer to finding a solution to the "Roma problem".Moreover, Slovakia's planned accession to the EU, accompanied by loosened migration restrictions and allegations of human rights violations, have brought the administration under the closer scrutiny of international experts, who have mostly not been too impressed by the government's track-record.

Judiciary waffles

THE ELECTION of Štefan Harabin as Supreme Court chief justice at the end of 2002 came as a blow to most supporters of judicial reform in Slovakia. After the 2002 parliamentary elections, which again put in power democratic and reform-oriented parties, Harabin's election was seen by some as a clear warning that the fight for deep change is far from over. Throughout 2003, though, Slovakia seemed to move steadily in the direction of reform:

Slovakia's cultural ambassador

SHE WAS eight months pregnant when she performed at the renowned Bratislava Music Festival in the autumn of 2002. This summer, perfectly fit eight months after giving birth to her third child, she astounded the audience at the prestigious Salzburg festival. And most recently, on November 18, her clear soprano tone filled one of the world's most famous musical stages - Carnegie Hall in New York.

Miners celebrate birth of Jesus

A large mining nativity scene with around 20 life-size figures was presented to the public in the central Slovak mining of Špania Dolina on December 14. The scene captures miners carved out of wood coming to bow to baby Jesus, St Mary, and Joseph.

Siemens to develop an IT system to monitor EU funds

IVO publishes report on state of society

SIS knew about Russian spy

Document on EU funds signed

State interested in EuroTel stake

Poll: No to early elections

Cadastre data on the internet

No agreement on NBÚ boss

Slovakia turns down EC proposal on US Steel overproduction

French Cemm Thome to set up plant in Prešov

Russian spy led Aeroflot branch in Bratislava

Pension reform on track, old-age-pension savings law passed

Roma migration to the Czech Republic not critical

Public support for NATO entry reaches almost 55 percent

Potential investors given code names