Archive of articles - July 2004, page 3

Slovakia's long-empty position in Hungary has finally been filled

TWO YEARS after the position went vacant, the Slovak cabinet agreed on a new ambassador to Hungary - career diplomat Juraj Migaš. Shortly after the name was leaked, it was discovered that Migaš speaks no Hungarian.Migaš' lack of Hungarian skills came as a disappointment to the Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK), a ruling coalition member.

Mexico drops visa requirement

Privatisation on track

THE TRANSPORT Ministry hopes to sell cargo rail transportation company Železničná spoločnosť Cargo for a target profit of Sk15 billion (€376 million).In July the Slovak government approved a plan to split the national railway company Železničná spoločnosť (ŽSSK) into two joint-stock companies: one operating solely passenger transport and the other cargo transport.

Reader feedback: Just how free does the KDH want speech?

Deputy Hopta leaves Communist Party

NBS announces coin competition

Soon to become a donation nation

ALTHOUGH Slovakia is still receiving development assistance from more developed Western countries, it has begun to take the path of being a donor itself.Just as Slovakia had been an aid recipient, now it is duty-bound to help reduce social tensions and poverty in other parts of the world.

Reader feedback: A happy, foggy memory

Around Slovakia

Doctor fired for slapping childCop on a Wehrmacht bikeGranny found by helicopterElephant females 20 years in zooBig baby girlSchool turns into hostel for the summerComedian may be sentenced for deadly accident

Cooks to try the Biggest Piroh

SLOVAK cooks and chefs will meet on August 1 at Spišský salaš (Spiš Shepherd's Cottage) to make another attempt at cooking the largest example of one of Slovakia's traditional meals, bryndzové pirohy, the potato dough bags filled with a stuffing made from bryndza sheep cheese.

Trade deficit up to Sk2.1 billion in May

EEZ confirms bid for power producer SE

New rules define NGOs

SINCE the Velvet Revolution in 1989, the Slovak state has created relatively modern legislation for the private and state sectors, while laws concerning non-governmental organisations and the third sector were left almost untouched. A chaotic situation in pertinent laws and the number and types of Slovak NGOs has been the result.

Adventurer to take Ľubovňa Castle

HE FOUGHT in the Austrian army, joined a Polish national movement, and was exiled to Siberia by the Russians. He managed to escape, sail the Northern Pacific, and impress King Louis XV, who delegated him to the island of Madagascar.The King of Madagascar, Maurice Benyowsky (Móric Beňovský in Slovak), born in 1746 in what is today Slovakia when it was part of the Hungarian monarchy, has been an inspiration for many plays and movies.

Cartoon

An online home

US CITIZENS travelling or living overseas can now register themselves, their itineraries, and emergency contact information through the internet thanks to a new internet-based registration system introduced by the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the US State Department.All US citizens travelling or resident abroad will have the ability to register under two separate registration categories: short-term or long-term. Short-term registration is for those travellers who will be on temporary visits to a country or countries.

Festival digs cello tunes

THE HISTORIC town of Banská Štiavnica will welcome leading cellists to play for the fifth time at the annual Festival of Nice Music. The four concerts will be delivered between July 30 and August 1 at the town's Old Castle and a baroque manor house in nearby Svätý Anton.

President thinks cabinet will survive

Rights hard to protect

PAVEL Kandráč is Slovakia'a first ombudsman. After taking his post almost two years ago, as an MP of the opposition party Movement for a Democratic Slovakia, he built the country's ombudsman office. Kandráč is a lawyer, teacher, and specialised in criminal law. He spoke to The Slovak Spectator on July 21.