Archive of articles - June 2010, page 4
If you desire to read an old article, use the search bar or select the publication date.
Three Guantanamo detainees in Slovakia reported to be on a hunger-strike
Three former detainees from Guantanamo Bay (Gitmo) who were transferred to Slovakia on January 25 are on a hunger strike, the TASR newswire was told on June 24 by Branislav Tichý, the director of Amnesty International Slovensko (AIS). He said the three are protesting bad conditions and the treatment they are receiving from Slovak authorities in a detention facility in Medveďov in Trnava Region. Tichý said that AIS was informed about the alleged poor treatment by one of the detainees who spoke to AIS employees by telephone on Thursday morning, June 24. According to Tichý, the detainees are not allowed contact with anyone except for personnel in the facility and their lawyer. Tichý described their living conditions as poor – having only beds and a sink at their disposal and being allowed to leave their rooms for only an hour per day.
SaS MP says he was offered bribe to destabilise new government coalition
Igor Matovič, a newly elected member of the Slovak parliament from the Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party told the internet news-server aktualne.sk on Thursday, June 24, that he was offered “a huge amount of money” to destabilise the emerging four-party coalition so that an early parliamentary election would be triggered, the TASR newswire wrote. To pass the new government’s programme statement at least 76 votes in parliament are needed. Matovič was allegedly asked to vote against the document along with three other MPs from the 'Ordinary People' grouping within SaS and without those four votes the coalition would only have 75 votes out of 150.
Slovakia lives a World Cup-dream in South Africa – defeats Italy 3-2
The Slovak national football team advanced to the World Cup round of 16, after beating the 2006 World Cup champions, Italy, in the last match of Group F.
EC says Slovakia broke no law in denying entry to Hungarian president last year
Slovakia did not violate the laws of the European Union when it refused to allow Hungarian President László Sólyom into Komárno in Slovakia to attend the unveiling of a statue of Hungarian King Stephen I in August 2009, the European Commission ruled on June 24, the TASR newswire reported. Hungary claimed to the EC that on August 21, 2009 “Slovakia refused Sólyom entry into the country” and cited Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the EU and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States.
The Slovak National Theatre – PROGRAMME
A complete list of performances by the Slovak National Theatre from June 28 - July 2, 2010 at both the new building – its Hall of Opera and Ballet, its Hall of Drama, and its Studio as well as at the SND’s historical building is available.
Historic Slovak victory at World Cup 2010
Slovakia's footballers scored their first ever World Cup victory, in a historic triumph over reigning champions Italy.
Transport Minister doubts closure of first PPP package by June 30 deadline
Transport Minister Ľubomír Vážny doubts whether the first package of public-private projects for construction and operation of five stretches of the D1 highway between Martin and Prešov will be financially closed as of the last set deadline of June 30.
Finance Ministry raises deficit forecast for 2010 to 6.98 percent
The Finance Ministry on June 23 raised its forecast for this year’s public-finance deficit because of what it says is worse-than-expected tax revenues, the TASR newswire reported. As part of his economic and financial outlook, Finance Minister Ján Počiatek forecast an end-of-year public-finance deficit of 6.98 percent, up from last year’s 6.8 percent and the ministry’s earlier prediction of 5.5 percent. According to him, there is room for a targeted deficit cut either by cost-savings or increasing revenues.
Defence Ministry does not have enough money for communications contract
Defence Minister Jaroslav Baška stated on June 23 that his ministry does not have enough funds to pay €60 million, the sum due to BAE Systems for a tender won in 2005 for a mobile communication system called MOKYS for the Slovak Army. The Defence Ministry signed an option for prolongation of the contract shortly before parliamentary elections held on June 12, the SITA newswire wrote.
Poll of businesses recommends a more simplified tax system for Slovakia
The country’s tax system could become Slovakia’s competitive advantage in the struggle for foreign investors, according to a poll carried out in May by tax consultancy BMB Leitner in co-operation with the American Business Chamber in Slovakia, Slovak-German Trade and Industrial Chamber and Slovak-Austrian Trade Chamber which was published on June 23, the TASR newswire. Almost two-thirds of the 673 approached foreign investors labelled the tax system in Slovakia as burdensome or very burdensome. Most respondents believe the Slovak tax legislative is highly complicated; four-fifths think it is a result of insufficient rules of application and frequent changes.
Vote 2010: Slovakia’s President Gašparovič tasks Radičová with forming government
Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič on Wednesday, June 23, gave the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) election leader Iveta Radičová the task of forming a new government. He did so after Smer leader Robert Fico, whose party won the largest share of the vote in the June 12 general election, returned the mandate that he had received on Monday, June 14. Despite winning 34.79 percent of the vote, Fico's party was unable to form a government.
Ryanair opens new lines from Bratislava to Italy and Spain
Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair is opening new lines from Bratislava's M.R. Štefánik Airport to southern European destinations.
Names of future ministers still unknown, but coalition agreement ready
Representatives of centre-right parties the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ), Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), and Most-Híd met on Wednesday, June 23, and agreed the wording of their coalition agreement, but the details of how the portfolios will be divided remains unknown.
Slovak public debt rose to nearly 36 percent of GDP in 2009
Slovakia's public debt in 2009 stood at €22.58 billion, or 35.7 percent of GDP, according to the public administration closing account that was approved by the government on Wednesday, June 23. Debt as a proportion of GDP went up by 8.1 percentage points year-on-year, stated a document drafted by the Finance Ministry.
Vote 2010: Fico accepts election defeat, returns mandate
Prime Minister Robert Fico is to return to President Ivan Gašparovič the mandate to form a new government on Wednesday, June 23. "I respect the election result," Fico said following a cabinet session on Wednesday, the SITA newswire reported.
Survey shows companies in Slovakia want greater transparency
Firms doing business in Slovakia expect the new government to improve access to EU funds and increase transparency in public procurement, according to a survey of carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers in April which addressed 80 representatives from companies in various sectors.
Catholic church believes Slovak Parliament will support Vatican treaties
A spokesman for the Slovak Bishops’ Conference, Jozef Kováčik, has stated that all political parties said after the June 12 parliamentary elections that they have no problem fulfilling the international commitments between Slovakia and the Vatican. "We are glad that the missing treaties with the Vatican will find broad political support in the new parliament," Kováčik told the SITA newswire on Wednesday, June 23.
New terminal at Bratislava Airport will enter full service next week
Bratislava’s M. R. Štefánik Airport will start handling all regular and unscheduled flights through its recently completed new terminal from Monday, June 28.
Union wants pay raise for teachers included in new government manifesto
The Slovak Education and Science Workers Trade Union (OZ PSaV) said on June 22 that it would push for improved teachers’ pay to be included in the new government manifesto. Its demands would cost an estimated €230 million.
Vote 2010: New Slovak coalition continues talks on governing programme
The coalition council comprising Slovakia’s four centre-right parliamentary parties met on Tuesday, June 22, to continue discussion about the content of their joint governing programme, the SITA newswire wrote.
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
- 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
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- 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 ›
