Archive of articles - February 2008
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Statements help crown set new records against both Euro and Dollar
The Slovak crown (koruna), had a successful day on February 28, strengthening by 26 hellers and reaching a historically strong rate against the euro - Sk32.54 SKK/EUR, Tatra banka dealer Boris Somorovský told SLOVAKIA. The crown also set a new record against the U.S. dollar of Sk21.50 per greenback. The significant strengthening occurred after Slovak Finance Minister Ján Poèiatek stated that a revaluation of the crown's central parity rate against the Euro under the ERM-2 mechanism isn't out of the question. Also important was Euro-group chairman Jean-Claude Juncker's comments on Slovakia's prospects for adopting the euro as of January 1, 2009.
Labour market fair to help companies find new employees
The ninth annual 'Labour Market and Educational Stays' fair which was held in Bratislava on February 28 has been billed as a great opportunity for firms to find new potential and new people to hire. One such company is IT giant DELL, the TASR wrote. "Through labour fairs of this kind, we try to address mainly students, but also other jobseekers. What we're looking for is a qualified workforce, even one without experience that could participate in various programs that we’ve prepared at our company" said DELL HR consultant Matej Semsej.
Lipšic: If opposition can't bring out an alternative, I won't run in 2010
If the current opposition parties fail to come up with a real alternative to the current Government, Christian Democrat (KDH) MP Daniel Lipšic won't run on his party's slate at the next general election in 2010, the TASR wrote. Lipšic said this at a news conference held independently of KDH on Thursday, February 28. He presented reporters with what he calls a project for opposition victory in 2010.
Štrofová: Slovakia meeting most criteria for visa-free travel to Canada
Visa-free regimes for Slovak citizens travelling to the U.S.A. and Canada are more of a technical than a political matter, Foreign Affairs Ministry State Secretary Diana Štrofová told SLOVAKIA on February 28. Given that Slovakia met all the conditions necessary to join the Schengen zone in December, the country is also complying with most of the criteria for visa-free travel to Canada, she added.
Sociálna Poisťovňa general manager to receive a bonus of Sk788,000
The general manager of the social security provider Sociálna Poisťovňa (SP) Ivan Bernátek is to receive a bonus for 2007 equal to seven times his monthly salary, a total of nearly Sk788,000, the SITA news wire reported. The supervisory board of Sociálna Poisťovňa, headed by Labour Minister Viera Tomanová, approved the proposed bonus to Bernatek last week. The bonus must still be approved by the Cabinet.
Economic sentiment down in February, industry confidence up
Data from the Statistics Office show that the economic sentiment indicator in Slovakia declined one percentage point to 99.6 points on a month-on-month basis in February 2008. The Statistics Office said that behind the drop were negative developments in the retail sector, in services and among consumers. The economic sentiment indicator was 7.8 percentage points lower in a year-on-year comparison and fell 1.4 percentage points below the long-term average, the Slovak Statistics Office announced on February 28.
New President appointed for US Steel Košice
The Kosice-based plant of United States Steel Corporation will have a new president as of March, according to the SITA news wire. The management of the U.S. concern announced that U.S. Steel Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Surma has appointed George F. Babcoke the senior vice president for European Operations and president of US Steel Košice. In his new role, Babcoke will oversee US Steel's two European operations: US Steel Košice in the Slovak Republic and US Steel Serbia in the Republic of Serbia. SITA
Will Kubiš exchange his post for Afghanistan?
Also on February 28, Pravda reported that the Slovak foreign minister is a candidate for the post of special UN ambassador for Afghanistan. The paper received this information from two independent sources. The Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson did not want to confirm whether the minister’s name had been mentioned in connection with the search for a UN ambassador to Afghanistan.
Mafia man may be behind Tupý murder
The Pravda daily on February 28 reported that one of murderers of student Daniel Tupý may have been a member of the Bratislava mafia. The police confirmed on February 27 that they had charged one person with murder and three people with causing serious bodily harm. One of the charged, who allegedly participated in the murder of the student, was a man with the nickname Grco [roughly translated, ‘Puker’], who was a member of the mafia in the Bratislava district of Lamač. He committed suicide several months after the murder of Daniel Tupý [but was, nonetheless, formally charged].
Crown hits new historic best against US dollar
On February 27, the Slovak crown again reached record-breaking levels against the weakening US dollar, briefly reaching Sk21.74 per dollar, UniCredit Bank dealer Patrik Malec has told SLOVAKIA.
Interior Ministry withdraws disputed tender for food coupons supplier
The Interior Ministry decided to cancel the disputed tender for food coupons supplier on February 27 despite the relevant authorities indicating that its proceedings were in accordance with the law, SLOVAKIA was told by the ministry spokesman Erik Tomáš.
Slovakia running for UN Human Rights Council membership
The Government on February 27 approved the Foreign Ministry’s plans for making a bid for membership on the UN Human Rights Council (2008-11) at an election in New York in May, the TASR newswire wrote.
Kaliňák: Three suspects in Tupý murder arrested
Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák confirmed on February 27 at a press conference that almost two and a half years after the murder of university student Daniel Tupý, police have charged one person with the crime and accused three others of related offenses.
Political analyst attacked in Bratislava
Well-known political analyst and Institute for Public Affairs (IVO) think tank president Grigorij Mesežnikov was assaulted on February 26 in the centre of Bratislava. He is reported not to be seriously injured.
PAS: Business environment deteriorated in 4Q07
The business environment in Slovakia deteriorated slightly in the final quarter of 2007, according to the Business Environment Index (IPP), which has fallen for the sixth time in a row, it was reported on February 26.
MFA and ambassador talk Kosovo, Afghanistan, missile shield and visa
Foreign Affairs Minister Ján Kubiš met US Ambassador to Slovakia Vincent Obsitnik on February 26 to discuss developments in the wake of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence on February 17, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ján Škoda told SLOVAKIA. The meeting was part of Kubiš's regular working consultations, Škoda said.
PSA Peugeot-Citroen Slovakia tripled output in 2007
French car-maker PSA Peugeot-Citroen tripled its output in Trnava on an annual basis in 2007, turning out more than 177,000 new cars, communications director Peter Švec said on February 26. According to him, the company plans to produce 200,000 cars this year, the TASR wrote.
Lawsuit against SE dropped
Former Austrian MP Eva Glawischnig has abandoned her lawsuit against Slovak power producer Slovenské Elektrárne (SE) that demanded the closure of the first and second unit of the Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant (EMO).
State once again foregoes tender
On February 26, the Sme daily pointed out that the National Highway
Case closed on alleged illegal sterilisation of Roma women
The Regional Prosecutor's Office in Košice has once again closed the much discussed case of alleged forced sterilisation of Roma women dating back to 2003.
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- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
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- The disinformation scene has become a tool of media capture
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- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
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- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- He designed Gatwick. But this is his masterpiece
- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- The compass points to Kúty, and people are starting to follow
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Slovakia plans to restrict access to new medicines amid funding shortfall
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners More articles ›
