Archive of articles - January 2008, page 8
If you desire to read an old article, use the search bar or select the publication date.
Police solve less than half of cases
On January 16, the Pravda daily wrote that despite an overall decrease in the country’s crime rate, the number of violent crimes has increased. And of all cases, the police eventually solve a mere four out of ten. The worst ratio concerns stolen cars.
Unemployment rate in Slovakia rises to 7.99 percent
The registered jobless rate in Slovakia reached 7.99 percent at the end of last December, which is an increase by 0.23 percentage points from late November. Compared with December 2006, the jobless rate was 1.41 percentage points lower, announced the National Labor, Social Affairs and Family Office on January 16.
Fuel prices up since last week
The average retail price of 95-octane petrol in Slovakia was Sk39.32 per liter as of January 10, according to data of the Slovak Statistics Office. The retail price of LPG amounted to Sk22.06 per liter. The average price of diesel was Sk41.27 per liter in the monitored period. Compared with prices from January 2, the average price of 95-octane petrol went up Sk0.41, the price of LPG increased Sk0.27 per liter and the average price of diesel rose by Sk0.42 per liter.
Slovak Central Bank lost Sk19.5 billion in 2007
The Slovak central bank (NBS) showed a loss of Sk19.5 billion (€584.1 million) in 2007, SLOVAKIA was told by NBS spokesperson Jana Kováčová on January 15. The figure is a preliminary one that may be revised after the bank carries out its final balance for 2007 within the next few weeks. TASR
Fico: Privatization of SPP was biggest theft in Slovak history
The sale of the country's natural gas utility Slovenský Plynárenský Priemysel (SPP) was the biggest theft in Slovak history, and Parliament will therefore adopt a resolution on it, Prime Minister and Smer-SD chairman Robert Fico said on January 15.
Nuclear watchdog reviews construction at Mochovce nuclear plant
The Nuclear Supervisory Authority (UJD) said on January 15 that it had begun a review of construction work on reactor blocks 3 and 4 at the Mochovce nuclear power plant. The nuclear power plant holds a building permit, but the operator Slovenské Elektrárne (SE) is fully aware that the nuclear plant in its initial design does not comply with the requirements of nuclear-power legislation, and that it must therefore carry out the changes needed in order to meet safety-related requirements, said UJD chief Marta Šiaková at a news conference. SE's owner Enel has been handing over documentation relating to its efforts to meet all safety requirements at the power plant. TASR
First biometric passports issued
The National Security Office (NBÚ) in Bratislava on January 15 issued the first two Slovak passports with biometric data to Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák and NBÚ director František Blanárik. "In the future, we'd like to speed up the issuing of passports as much as possible. Moreover, we'll try to create new workplaces," said Kaliňák.
Mikolaj awarding funds to associates
On January 15, the Hospodárske noviny daily reported that cabinet members are still awarding subsidies and contracts to their friends and associates.
Labour Minister accused of failing to draw on EU funds
An opposition MP has accused Labor Minister Viera Tomanová of depriving the country of almost Sk200 million in Euro funds from the Single Program Document Target 3 program.
Economy Ministry becomes shareholder of ST
On January 15, the Economy Ministry became a shareholder in the dominant fixed-line operator Slovak Telekom (ST), ministry spokesman Marián Jánošík confirmed.
Market unshaken by Fico’s comments
On January 15, the Sme daily wrote that Prime Minister Robert Fico’s recent comment on Euro adoption in Slovakia had no effect, positive or negative, on the currency market.
Coalition Council to meet for first time this year
On January 15, the leaders of the ruling coalition will hold their first Coalition Council meeting of the year.
Highway company announces winner of Sverepec-Vrtizer contract
The consortium Manin - Váhostav-Sk - Strabag- Bogl a Krysl, represented by the company Váhostav-Sk based on a power of attorney agreement, will construct the second stretch of the D1 highway between Sverepec and Vrtizer between the 4.9th and 9.6th kilometer. The construction of a 4.7-kilometer stretch should cost Sk3.778 billion without VAT, which is Sk805.1 million less than the order's original estimated value.
ŽSR signs another partial contract with Reming Consult
Railway network operator Železnice Slovenskej Republiky (ŽSR) signed another partial work contract with Reming Consult, a.s. Bratislava. The contract is part of a project to modernize the Žilina - Košice railway track, more precisely the Liptovský Mikuláš - Poprad Tatry stretch. The value of the order is Sk473.9 million without VAT and is the same as the originally named price. The partial contract, which was signed on December 20, 2007, stipulates terms for processing and delivery of documentation for building permits and engineering activities, as well as carrying out the construction and selection of contractors and site supervisors.
SDKÚ-DS wants Slovak Land Fund's contracts disclosed
Pavol Frešo and Lucia Žitňanská of the opposition SDKÚ-DS party submitted a draft revision of the law on land arrangements to parliament on January 11.
Developers eye industrial park in Vežký Meder
Two developers have shown interest in the planned industrial park in Vežký Meder (Trnava region), it was reported on January 13. An Italian company wants to place light-industrial production and also car and electro-technical industries suppliers in the park. Another company, based in Bratislava, wants to set up a Central and Eastern Europe logistics centre for a Swiss furniture producer.
Opera Ball opens ball season in Slovakia
The 8th Opera Ball held at the Slovak National Theatre's (SND) historical Opera House on Hviezdoslavovo Square in Bratislava on January 12, opened the ball season in Slovakia.
Slovak Film Week begins in Hungary
A week of Slovak films began in Budapest's Orokmozgo Film Museum on January 12 with the screening of new Slovak movie “Démoni” (Demons) by director Robert Veda, SLOVAKIA was told by the Slovak Institute in Budapest.
Slota accepts Bósza's invitation for debate on autonomy
Governing-coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) leader Ján Slota has accepted a call for a televised debate by Jánosz Bósza, a member of the Nomos Regionalismus civil association. The debate will centre on the issue of autonomy for the southern part of Slovakia and a planned act on statehood protection proposed by the SNS.
Central and Eastern Europe: Visegrad Scholarship Programme
THE INTERNATIONAL Visegrad Fund is an international organisation based in Bratislava, founded by the governments of the Visegrad Four (V4) countries – the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.
- Bratislava unveils its first 3D-printed bus stop Photo
- Slovakia’s secret weapon is living abroad
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Slovak physicist: I do not employ doctoral students; I make them go abroad. I expect them to push us forward
- Poland edges toward green light on long-delayed Kraków–Košice rail revival
- Why a British teacher chose Slovakia as home Audio
- A divided Slovakia still deserves hope, president says in national address
- Irish metal band to make long-awaited debut in Bratislava Video
- Slovakia’s secret weapon is living abroad
- Bratislava unveils its first 3D-printed bus stop Photo
- Irish metal band to make long-awaited debut in Bratislava Video
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- News digest: Fico tells Berlin Slovakia will not take lessons on Russia
- Why a British teacher chose Slovakia as home Audio
- Poland edges toward green light on long-delayed Kraków–Košice rail revival
- Slovakia passes NGO law, civil society fears a chilling new era
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Bratislava unveils its first 3D-printed bus stop Photo
- Slovakia’s secret weapon is living abroad
- Irish metal band to make long-awaited debut in Bratislava Video
- Why a British teacher chose Slovakia as home Audio
- News digest: Brussels committee launches scrutiny of EU funds in Slovakia
- Zdeno Chára inducted into world hockey hall of fame Video
- News digest: Fico tells Berlin Slovakia will not take lessons on Russia
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Bratislava unveils its first 3D-printed bus stop Photo
- Slovakia’s secret weapon is living abroad
- Irish metal band to make long-awaited debut in Bratislava Video
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Why a British teacher chose Slovakia as home Audio
- One year on: Slovakia still unable to deport alleged terror suspect
- A divided Slovakia still deserves hope, president says in national address
- Where can vegetarians and gluten-free diners eat out in Bratislava?
- Slovak physicist: I do not employ doctoral students; I make them go abroad. I expect them to push us forward
- Fico turns to X to shape his global image
- Iron Age hillfort found in remote Slovak woodland Photo
- News digest: Fico tells Berlin Slovakia will not take lessons on Russia
- Slovakia’s secret weapon is living abroad More articles ›
