Archive of articles - December 2007, page 2

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Fico: Labour markets should open

Apart from border checks, the remaining obstacles facing the labour market between Slovakia and Austria should be removed, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on December 20 during an appearance with his Austrian counterpart, Dr. Alfred Gusenbauer. The two leaders were taking part in the ceremonial sawing off of the borders at the Petržalka-Berg checkpoint.

Government looking to dismiss SRo head

On December 20, the Sme daily wrote that the ruling coalition was seeking more influence over state-owned Slovak Radio (SRo). After the dismissal last week of the director of public broadcaster Slovak Television (STV) Radim Hreha by the STV Council, the Coalition would now like to dismiss SRo head Miloslava Zemková as well. Hreha, who was close to Smer-SD, had to go because of his failure to lead the company. Zemková's dismissal would allow the Coalition to gain more influence over the SRo.

By train faster than by car

On December 20, the Hospodárske noviny economic daily wrote that when Vladimír Mečiar's government raised the speeding limit from 110 to 130 km per hour ten years ago, cars became the fastest form of land transport in Slovakia. But this is about to change.

Gašparovič: Schengen could bring more crime

Among the positives of Slovakia's entry to the Schengen zone will be unrestricted movement around Europe, but it could also result in a rise in crime, Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič said on December 20.

Forty hospitals face ticking time bomb

On December 20, the Hospodárske noviny economic daily wrote that the bankruptcy of health care provider Perspektíva is threatening the existence of around forty hospitals in Slovakia due to unclaimed debt.

Questions arise over Ikores contract

On December 20, the Sme daily wrote that a donor to the ruling Smer-SD party had been rewarded with a construction contract worth Sk36 million.

Civil servants get Christmas bonus

On December 20, the Pravda daily pointed out that Robert Fico's year of battling bureaucracy ended in rewarding civil servants with bonuses up to Sk100,000.

SMK threatens protests

On December 20, the Sme daily published a front-page article about a new education proposal approved on December 19 that has angered ethnic minorities in Slovakia.

Schengen to simplify entry to United States

The issuance of biometric passports, entry into the Schengen information system and supervision of borders will bring Slovakia closer to the visa-free regime with the United States, the Hospodárske noviny daily wrote.

US Ambassador visits his birthplace in eastern Slovakia

US Ambassador to Slovakia Vincent Obsitnik on December 19 visited his birthplace, the village of Moravany in the Košice Region. He met representatives from the municipality, as well as some of its residents.

Google trying to open in Slovakia

On December 19, the Sme daily published a front-page story about Google and its inability to open a branch in Slovakia.

As water bills grow, people renew wells

On December 19, the Pravda daily reported that by next year the consumption of water in Slovak households will drop to the “hygienic minimum” – 80 litres daily per capita. In 2002, Slovak households consumed 114 litres daily per capita. Rising prices are the reason for the decline.

Government: Fuel tax won’t increase

Following the Government Session on December 19, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that the consumption tax on fuels won't increase in the foreseeable future because the country has found other ways of financing its emergency oil reserve.

Kaliňák unapologetic about road safety

On December 19, the Sme daily published an interview with Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák in which he explained his decision in August 2006 to change the top positions in the police corps as switching the emphasis from the fight against organised crime to everyday crime and improving the traffic situation.

Cabinet approves highway construction programme

By 2010, around 165 kilometres of highways and 80 kilometres of dual

Slovaks spend less than half of their salary for presents

On December 19, the Sme daily published a survey on Slovaks’ Christmas shopping habits. Seventy-five percent of adults responded that they go shopping with a plan to spend less than Sk5,000. A big portion of people also said they do not want to pay more than half of their salary on Christmas presents.

HN: Fifteen years before Slovakia catches up with Europe

Although Slovakia’s surging economy has earned it the title “Tiger of Europe”, it will take at least another 15 years for it to catch up with developed EU countries’ standard of living, the Hospodárske noviny economic daily wrote on December 19.

NBS Bank board keeps key interest rates unchanged in December

Slovakia's central bank's (NBS) bank board at its regular session on December 18 decided to keep key interest rates unchanged. The decision means that the interest rate for two-week repo tenders will remain at 4.25 percent, while overnight rates will stay at 2.25 percent for draining excess liquidity and at 5.75 percent for refinancing operations. TASR

Food prices to rise again

On December 18, the Sme daily reported in a front-page article that food prices will keep increasing next year. However, the rise will not be as dramatic as this autumn. Analysts share the opinion that out of all groups of goods and services, the price of food will go up most. The reason behind the growth will be a bad harvest in the world, higher consumption of food of higher quality in China and India, as well as the production of ecological bio-fuels.

Mikolaj reform reduces emphasis on mathematics

On December 18, the Pravda daily published an article that said Education Minister Ján Mikolaj is planning to cut mathematics lessons at primary schools by twenty percent. Currently, there are five math lessons a week in all grades of primary schools in Slovakia.

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