Archive of articles - June 2012, page 12
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SOZA
“SOZA, thank you that you are/For buying me a new car/For all the good times/For being fine,” sings the alternative band Chiki liki tu-a in one of the world’s few hits dedicated to a collective rights’ organisation.
Villages pay for folk songs
VILLAGE authorities were stunned recently after receiving notices from the Slovak Performing and Mechanical Rights Society (SOZA), a non-profit association of authors and publishers of musical works, demanding payments for children’s performances of traditional Slovak folk songs at public events. Now some of the mayors of the affected villages are up in arms over the demands. They want a more sensitive and reasonable approach from SOZA and the government is now talking about changes to the copyright law.
Foreign Minister Lajčák travels to visit the Balkans
Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák will leave on Wednesday, June 6, for a visit to three Balkan countries, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria. During his visit to Montenegro, he will hold talks with his counterpart Milan Rocen. President Filip Vujanovic will receive him and he will also meet with the Speaker of the Parliament Ranko Krivokapic, Prime Minister Igor Luksic, and Deputy Prime Minister Dusko Markovic. In Podgorica, Minister Lajčák will primarily discuss the process of the European integration of Montenegro. Lajčák supports the opening of accession negotiations of Montenegro with the EU countries in June this year and wants to urge the Montenegrin partners to continue their reform and integration efforts.
Slovak economy grew by 3 percent in the first quarter of 2012
The Slovak economy grew by 3 percent in the first quarter of this year. The Slovak Statistics Office (ŠÚ) reported the result on Wednesday, June 6, and thus slightly - by 0.1 percentage points - revised downward its flash estimate of GDP growth reported last month. Nevertheless, the Slovak economy maintained a sound momentum from last year, when its growth for the full year was 3.3 percent. In a quarterly comparison, after seasonal adjustment, the real gross domestic product grew by 0.7 percent.
Unemployment rose again in Slovakia in Q1
Unemployment in Slovakia grew year-on-year for the second consecutive quarter. Compared to the first quarter of 2011, it increased by 2.2 percent, i.e. by 8,100 to 380,300 people. As the Slovak Statistics Office (ŠÚ) reported on Wednesday, June 6, the unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points year-on-year to 14.1 percent. Among women, it increased by 0.5 percentage points to 14.4 percent and among men, it fell by 0.2 percentage points to 13.8 percent.
Doctors’ unions again consider strike
Doctors’ unions have not lost the will to go on strike, even now that their leader Marian Kollár, who led them during last year’s negotiations, has resigned from his post. The Sme daily wrote in its Wednesday, June 6, issue that the new unions’ leader Peter Visolajský is not ruling out strikes.
Government proxy for Roma disagrees with demolition of shacks in Vrútky
Government proxy for Roma communities Miroslav Pollák said on Tuesday, June 5, that his office will carry out a legal analysis into the demolition of illegal Roma shacks in the town of Vrútky, Žilina Region, that took place last week at the behest of the local authority.
Alleged bug in Miškov's car damaged, prosecution halted
The object that was found in former economy minister Juraj Miškov's car and which Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) vice-chairman Miškov called eavesdropping equipment turned out to be damaged, spokesperson for Bratislava Regional Police headquarters Petra Hrášková told the TASR newswire on Tuesday, June 5.
Gašparovič and Fischer talk about Greece and nuclear energy
Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič and his Austrian opposite number Heinz Fischer concurred at their meeting in Bratislava on Tuesday, June 5, on the need for Greece to remain a eurozone member, as this would be the best solution for all parties concerned.
Martin: Capital of museums
Some people may think that only capital cities can be cradles of history, change and moments of national importance. Not in Slovakia. Martin , the eighth largest town in the country, has accompanied Slovak people through their pain, modest successes and in their desire for freedom.
Košice: a city of the unexpected
The old joke has it that Bratislava’s IQ diminishes dramatically on Friday afternoon, when all those who work in the capital go back to see their families in Košice. The rivalry between the citis has given birth to an endless list of similar anecdotes directed against both sides, and if you want to hear them all, you only need to buy a ticket for a football match between Slovan Bratislava and MFK Košice. Then take a trip to the metropolis of eastern Slovakia, well-connected by rail, air and road to the rest of central Europe, and judge for yourself.
Fewer protesters attend rally in Budapest against the Treaty of Trianon
A demonstration of people who are opponents of the Trianon Treaty that was held in front of the residence of the Slovak Embassy in Budapest this weekend was quiet, theSlovak Foreign Ministry told the SITA newswire. According to the ministry, fewer of what it called extremists participated than in previous years and the ministry reported no disturbances or damage to its property.
Opposition parties prepare amendments to about 20 laws
The opposition parties in Slovakia’s parliament have prepared draft amendments to about 20 existing laws, the Pravda daily wrote on June 5, adding that it is likely that only those that are actually proposed in cooperation with Smer party, which holds an absolute majority in parliament, such as eliminating MPs’ immunity from criminal offences or postponement of the effective date of the law on social services, will have a chance of being adopted.
Syrian Ambassador summoned by Slovakia’s Foreign Ministry
On June 4 Peter Michalko, political director of Slovakia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, summoned Syria's Ambassador to Slovakia, Bassam al-Sabbagh who is based in Vienna, to convey Slovakia's condemnation of the latest wave of violence in Syria – and especially the reported massacre in the town of Houla, the Foreign Affairs Ministry told the TASR newswire. Michalko voiced Slovakia’s serious concern over violation of human rights in Syria and called for rapid implementation of the peace plan drafted by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the Arab League.
Retail sales in Slovakia fall in April after a rising trend for three months
After posting moderate annualised growth for three months in a row, Slovakia's retail sales fell in April according to data of released by the Slovak Statistics Office (ŠÚ) that reported that April’s retail sales dropped by 1.9 percent from April 2011 to €1.418 billion. In March, retail sales had grown by 0.1 percent, in February by 2 percent, and in January by 1.5 percent – which had been the first annual growth in retail sales after 18 months, the SITA newswire reported.
Slovakia’s state budget gap widens in May
Slovakia’s state budget deficit deepened considerably in May according to data released by the Finance Ministry, with the SITA newswire writing that the deficit increased by nearly €1 billion and now stands at €2.16 billion.
Electric-car marathon stops in Bratislava on June 5
Ten electric-powered cars will arrive in Bratislava on the evening of June 5 as part of their trip that started in Tallinn on June 1 in a European-wide project called the Electric Marathon 2012, the TASR newswire reported.
Fair-Play Alliance concerned about opening Slovakia’s Freedom of Information law
Several non-governmental organisations are worried that Slovakia’s law on access to public information, the so-called Freedom of Information act, might be weakened, the Sme daily wrote on June 5, saying that Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák wants to open the law for parliamentary discussion.
Controversy over former Slovak Post’s director’s ‘golden parachute’
A separation package worth €178,000 to Marcela Hrdá, the former director of Slovak Post is an outrageous ‘golden parachute’ said Transport Minister Ján Počiatek on June 4, reporting that during the tenure of KDH chairman Ján Figeľ's as transport minister (2010-12), Hrdá had signed a contract with the ministry under which she would receive €178,000 in severance, the TASR newswire reported. "An overwhelming majority of this golden parachute is based on improvements in Slovak Post's economic performance. This performance was supposedly improved by slashing its planned loss in 2011 from €12 million to €8 million. But the cut of €4 million was not thanks to improvements in operational results but thanks to an accounting operation in adjusting entry items vis-à-vis a lawsuit in which the plaintiff died," Počiatek stated, as quoted by the TASR newswire. Počiatek added that former transport minister Ján Figeľ from the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) must have known about the severance provisions in Hrdá's contract as Figeľ had approved the contract by a decision of the ministry, the sole shareholder in Slovak Post, and because the contract includes his signature. Počiatek indicated that the ministry probably will not be able to avoid paying the severance package to Hrdá. Hrdá was replaced at the helm of Slovak Post by Tomáš Drucker on May 29.
Regional official resigns – UPDATED
DEALS worth €30,000 are proving quite costly for Vladislav Borík, the deputy president of the Nitra Self-Governing Region, who has been accused of manipulating public procurement processes used to select firms to provide services for the regional government.
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- Legendary captain Zdeno Chára inducted into IIHF Hall of Fame Video
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Liberal MP's boxing challenge backfires as far-right MEP seizes the moment
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- From eight to thousands of runners. How Košice marathon rose to prominence Photo
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Iconic Slovak barn still draws crowds. Without donors, it might have been lost Photo
- 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
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- 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
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Legendary captain Zdeno Chára inducted into IIHF Hall of Fame Video
- Liberal MP's boxing challenge backfires as far-right MEP seizes the moment
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- 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 More articles ›
