Archive of articles - March 2009, page 9
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Lajčák says economic diplomacy does not reflect the needs of Slovakia
The current state of economic diplomacy in Slovakia reflects neither the needs nor the potential of the country, said Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák. According to him, recent years have witnessed an increasing significance or even dominance of economic topics in international relations.
Scrap yards took in 1,500 old cars last week
Slovakia's 28 licensed scrap yards took in 1,500 old cars for scrap last week, said the Automobile Industry Association (ZAP) on March 16, adding that at this rate the Economy Ministry's scrapping subsidy program could be in place for at least eight weeks, reported the TASR newswire. ZAP spokesman Mária Nováková further said that demand for new cars, especially less expensive models, has increased, but that ZAP will release hard sales figures later this week.
EU-harmonised inflation down to 2.4 percent in February
Inflation in Slovakia, calculated according to the unified EU methodology, decelerated in February 2009 by 0.3 percentage points to 2.4 percent, the Statistics Office said on March 16. The expectations of analysts have been met after figures published last week showed that inflation measured according to national methodology fell by the same number of percentage points to 3.1 percent, the TASR newswire wrote. Clothing and footwear, food, non-alcoholic beverages, transport, recreation and culture contributed to the fall in inflation while prices in hotels, cafes and restaurants, and healthcare increased above the average. TASR
Innovations on tap for first round of voting on March 21
The Slovak Statistics Office is to do an across-the-board test of its balloting technologies on March 17 in preparation for processing the results of the first round of the March 21 presidential election, the office’s press department secretary Eva Kelemenová announced on March 16. The Statistics Office conducted two tests earlier on March 3 and March 10 on its software systems and data transmission system. For the first time in its history, the Statistics Office is to use 500 special computers for processing the election results. Another innovation is the www.volbysr.sk website which will show the latest election results after the polls close, the TASR newswire wrote. TASR
Right-wing organisation may try to register again as a political party
If banned ultra-right-wing organisation Slovenská Pospolitosť (Slovak Togetherness) submits a new application for registration as a political party, the Interior Ministry will deal with it in the same way as it does with any other case, the ministry's spokesman Erik Tomáš told the TASR newswire on March 16. "If an application is submitted, we'll examine it to see whether it meets or doesn't meet the requirements laid down by the law," said Tomas, adding that Slovenská Pospolitosť is not currently registered as a political party.
Extremist arrested and charged after March 14 nationalist rally
The police have charged the former leader of Slovak extremist organisation Slovenská Pospolitosť (Slovak Togetherness), Marian Kotleba, of supporting and promoting groups that aim to suppress basic rights and freedoms, Bratislava Police Office spokesperson Tatiana Kurucová told the TASR newswire on March 15.
Analysts say high pre-election predictions may prove counterproductive
The presidential candidates and their teams should pay a great deal of attention to public opinion surveys on voter support, political analyst Grigorij Mesežnikov told the TASR newswire. “There are certain messages that stem from these surveys that go straight to the candidates,” said the head of the Institute for Public Affairs (IVO). According to another political analyst, Erik Laštic, the candidates could gather some extra information about their voters from these polls and find out how much they need to urge them to vote in the elections.
Foreign Minister Lajčák discussing a range of issues in Brussels
Slovakia's Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák is heading the Slovak delegation to a session of the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday, March 16 and 17, ministry spokesman Ján Škoda told the TASR newswire on March 15. One of the main items on the agenda is preparation for an upcoming meeting of the European Council which will be held in Brussels on March 19 and 20, focusing on the current economic crisis. The GAERC meeting will also see discussions on the European Economic Recovery Plan, climate change and energy policy. Regarding external relations, the officials will focus on the project of the Eastern partnership, Belarus and the Western Balkans, especially in terms of the future mandate of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Government ministries expected to initiate austerity measures
The government wants to save €332 million from this year’s state budget in order to finance its anti-crisis measures. Austerity measures are expected to be introduced at individual ministries but no definite figures linked to specific areas have been published as yet, reported the TASR newswire.
How to make learning a language fun
GONE are the days when learning a foreign language was just a matter of memorising long lists of new vocabulary and doing countless grammar exercises. If you want to master a new language in an original and creative way, you should try the techniques of the performing arts.
IT organisations in Slovakia
ITAS – IT Association of Slovakia, www.itas.skITAS is a professional association representing the most important local and international companies operating in the Slovak market in the field of information and communication technologies. It was founded in September 1999 and presently includes 65 professionally registered members. The stated mission of ITAS is to promote and develop an information society.
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Presidential campaigns finally get under way
BILLBOARDS featuring candidates with amiable smiles are the most visible signs that Slovakia is gearing up for a presidential election, the first round of which will take place on March 21. Election rules meant that candidates and their backers could officially launch their campaigns and get-out-the-vote activities just two weeks before the first round.
Start-Up award goes to co-founder of software company
LADISLAV Gažo, a co-founder of software company Seges, has won the title 2008 Start-Up Entrepreneur of the Year. He accepted the award at a ceremony in Bratislava on February 25 attended by the Slovak President, Ivan Gašparovič, and Stan Jakubek, Country Managing Partner of Ernst & Young. The title Start-Up Entrepreneur of the Year is designed to recognise entrepreneurs who have been in business for less than five years, Veronika Králová, Head of Marketing & Business Development at Ernst & Young told The Slovak Spectator.
Regular buses to Hainburg
THE BRATISLAVA Transport Company (DPB) will lengthen its line No. 901, which currently serves the Austrian community of Wolfsthal, to the town of Hainburg, following through on its original plans.
Oscar actor's house lies in ruins
SMASHED and torn out windows, peeling plaster and mouldy walls overgrown with shrubs – that is how the birth home of famous Slovak actor Jozef Kroner in Staškov looks. Slovak railway company ŽSR, which owns Kroner’s birthplace, is not taking care of the house and it has even been occupied by homeless people, the Sme daily wrote.
What do they think?
The first round of the presidential election will take place on Saturday, March 21. The Slovak Spectator put six questions before all seven candidates for the position of President of the Slovak Republic and is publishing their detailed responses.
Schools with an IT focus in Slovakia
Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics (Comenius University), www.fmph.uniba.sk
MP unlawfully claimed Swiss pension
A COURT in Switzerland confirmed that for more than a year Jozef Rydlo, an MP for the Slovak National Party (SNS) was unlawfully taking a disability pension from Switzerland while serving as a member of the Slovak parliament, the Sme daily wrote. Rydlo started the court case in April 2008 after the Swiss social insurance company stopped paying his pension in response to an article written by a native Slovak and Swiss publicist, Irena Brežná, calling attention to the fact Rydlo was receiving the disability pension while earning almost €3,300 a month as an MP in Slovakia.
State wants steel giant to save jobs
STEEL giants worldwide have been feeling the pain, cutting production and even merging in an attempt to stem the losses their industry has suffered as a result of rapidly falling demand for steel products as a consequence of the global economic crisis.
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