Archive of articles - January 2009, page 4
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Toll collection revenue details revealed
REVENUE from Slovakia's electronic toll collection system in 2010, its first year of operation, should reach around €182.6 million (Sk5.5 billion), Transport Minister Ľubomír Vážny said on January 20, the SITA newswire reported.
Cheaper oil and food help trim inflation
NOT LONG ago, inflation was once one of the most feared side-effects of the adoption of euro in Slovakia. But just a couple weeks after the country switched to the new currency the threat of it seems to be fading fast. In fact, the price growth for goods and services in December slowed even faster than the country’s central bank had expected.
Gašparovič to make announcement on candidacy
Incumbent President Ivan Gašparovič will announce today, January 23, whether he will stand for re-election in the presidential elections scheduled for March 21. First, however, he will meet with representatives of the petition committee 'Our President', who collected the 15,000 signatures required by law, the TASR newswire wrote. Other politicians pursuing the post are joint opposition candidate Iveta Radičová (SDKÚ-DS), independent MP František Mikloško (a member of the Conservative Democrats of Slovakia/KDS), Free Forum (SF) chair Zuzana Martináková, former defence minister and Mission 21 chairman Ivan Šimko, former Communist Party (KSS) MP Dagmar Bollová and official KSS nominee Milan Sidor. TASR
Mikloško Collects 19,924 Signatures For Candidacy
The petition committee for František Mikloško has handed in 2,137 signature sheets with 19,924 signatures of people who support his presidential candidacy, the committee said on January 22. "Collecting them (signatures) was a good way for us to find out what people value in him as a presidential candidate," said committee member Vladimír Palko, adding that Miklosko personifies the fight by Slovaks for freedom and democracy, while he has always supported the protection of life. He stands for Christian, conservative and traditional Slovak values, and he is the only candidate that puts Slovak interests above the EU's, said Palko for the TASR newswire. The committee believes that Mikloško will exceed all expectations in the March 21 presidential elections. They want to use all available campaign methods, while claiming that the biggest part of the campaign has already been carried out by Miklosko's public life. Mikloško has accepted the endorsement of the non-parliamentary Christian Democrats of Slovakia (KDS)and will run as a civil candidate, requiring him to submit at least 15,000 signatures to Parliament. A former member of the Christian Democrats (KDH), Mikloško ran for president in 2004, but did not make it to the second round, in which current President Ivan Gasparovic defeated LS-HZDS leader Vladimír Mečiar. The first presidential candidate to register their signature sheets for the 2009 elections was Dagmar Bollova, a former Communist Party (KSS) member, who did so on January 20. None of the other likely candidates have submitted their petitions yet. TASR
SNS rails against Hungarian plaque on Csemadok building
Slovakia's nationalist party SNS has urged Culture Minister Marek Maďarič to halt financing of the ethnic Hungarians' cultural club Csemadok after a plaque was unveiled on its building marking the 15th anniversary of a rally calling for the minority's partial independence in Slovakia. Earlier on Thursday, January 22, the SNS, a co-ruling parliamentary party, continued to criticise the commemorative ceremony held on January 18 in Komarno where opposition SMK MP Miklós Duray called for Hungarians in Slovakia to be granted the right of self-determination, according to the TASR newswire. "It is not acceptable that plaques inscribed in Hungarian of the celebration of autonomy should be unveiled on Csemadok's buildings ... that are financed from state coffers," said SNS deputy chairwoman Anna Belousovova at a press conference on January 22 in Bratislava. She stressed that pronouncements of autonomy and attempts at its realisation are unconstitutional, reiterating that the rights of minorities in Slovakia are above average. TASR
Čaplovič and Gemesi discuss Slovak-Hungarian relations
Slovak Vice Premier Dušan Čaplovič will discuss Slovak-Hungarian relations at an informal meeting with Hungarian Government Office State Secretary Ferenc Gemesi in Budapest on Friday, January 23, Čaplovič's spokesperson Erika Adamová told the TASR newswire. Čaplovič, who is responsible for European Affairs, Knowledge-based Society and Human Rights and Minorities will also meet with representatives of minority self-government authorities from Mlynky (Pilisszentkereszt) to discuss financial support for construction of a Slovak community centre in Mlynky. Last year the Slovak community lost their community centre when city officials expanded their own premises and the political rhubarb was settled only after an agreement was made to build a replacement. Čaplovič, accompanied by Slovak Ambassador to Hungary Juraj Migaš, will attend a ceremony organised on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Slovaks in Hungary. TASR
Kubiš says his farewells
Slovakia’s foreign affairs minister, Ján Kubiš, announced on Monday, January 19, that he had attended his last government session, and that his successor would be present at the next meeting.
State budget may face cuts says NBS vice-governor
If the effects of the global economic crisis and the recent gas crisis have an influence on Slovakia's tax revenues, one of the Finance Ministry's reactions may be to cut budget expenditures, said Slovak central bank (NBS) vice-governor Martin Barto after the government session on January 20.
Euro rounding costs Labour Ministry €23.24 million
Government Proxy for the introduction of the euro Igor Barát has said that the rounding-up of state benefit payments in favour of claimants cost €23.24 million, while an information campaign for groups designated as disadvantaged cost another €150,000.
Trnava to build new industrial park
The town of Trnava will spend €10 million (Sk300 million) constructing a new Industrial and Technology Park (MPaTP), and will also make use of a subsidy from European funds worth €9.5 million (Sk286 million), project co-ordinator Branislav Pastucha from Trnava town council has announced.
Bill on emergency gas reserves planned
Economy Minister Ľubomír Jahnátek will submit a bill on emergency gas reserves and on measures to be taken during a gas-related state of emergency, the press and information section of the Government Office announced on January 21.
Gašparovič meets NGOs
President Ivan Gašparovič has praised the skill of Slovakia’s non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in obtaining financial resources in the form of grants and sponsorships.
NBS limits coin exchange to 1,000 at a time
Slovakia’s central bank, the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS), has announced it will exchange Slovak or euro coins on the spot only if their total number doesn't exceed 1,000.
Parliamentary committee recommends European Social Charter
The parliamentary committee for social affairs and housing on January 21 recommended that parliament approve a proposal for a reviewed European Social Charter of the Council of Europe - one of four basic conventions concerning human rights.
STV chief Nižňanský escapes dismissal by one vote
The governing council of public-service broadcaster Slovak Television (STV) moved to recall the corporation’s general manager, Štefan Nižňanský, shortly after noon on January 21. The council’s vote to dismiss him came as it discussed this year’s budget proposal. The move failed by one vote.
Economy Ministry plans to amend three-week-old law on regulation of business
The government says it plans to amend the law on business relations after complaints from suppliers concerning the practices of retail chains. The law has been in effect only since the beginning of 2009.
GfK poll: New Year sales lure most Slovaks into shops
Around 72 percent of Slovaks, regardless of gender, have already visited the New Year sales or are intending to do so, indicates an online survey carried out by GfK Slovakia on a sample of 500 respondents aged 15-60.
Vážny: If toll system is delayed, tender winner may lose €265m
Commenting on an electronic road-toll system that should be launched in Slovakia on January 1, 2010, Transport Minister Ľubomír Vážny said at a press conference in Bratislava on January 20 that the winner of the tender for the contract would lose approximately €265 million if it fails to meet the implementation deadline.
Počiatek: Gas crisis will slow Slovak economy by 1-1.5% of GDP
According to the first estimates, the gas crisis will have a considerable effect on the Slovak economy, causing a slowdown of 1-1.5 percent of GDP this year, Slovak Finance Minister Ján Počiatek said at a meeting of the EU Council for Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) in Brussels on January 20.
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- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Last Week: Slovakia’s central bank governor still faces bribery case verdict
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- Slovakia plans to restrict access to new medicines amid funding shortfall
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
- Show me your moves! Slovak hockey stars share their best pick-up lines
- 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 ›
