Archive of articles - February 2014, page 6
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Demographic development of 2013 positive, but also worrying
In Slovakia 54,823 children were born last year, which is 712 fewer than the year before. The population of the country nonetheless grew by 5,000 thanks to the number of migrants - 2,379 – while 52,089 people died.
Sme: Ukrainians do not flood Slovakia
Reacting to alarming news of fatalities in clashes between Ukrainian security services and protesters in Ukraine, the Sme daily wrote that thus far, no significant flow of Ukrainians have sought to enter Slovakia.
Loan from EIB to boost rural development
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is expected to provide a €120 million loan to Slovakia for various projects within the Rural Development Programme for 2007-13, according to a draft agreement submitted to the government by Finance Minister Peter Kažimír. The document was approved by the government at its session on February 19. The financial resources should be used to enhance forestry, as well as for agricultural and rural infrastructure.
Head of Dutch Senate visits Slovakia to talk EU matters
State Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, Peter Javorčík, met with the President of the Senate of the Netherlands Ankie Broekers-Knol during her first-ever official visit to Slovakia. At the meeting on February 19, they discussed more in detail the preparation for the presidency of the EU Council which Slovakia will take over in 2016 from The Netherlands and which it will pass over to Malta beginning 2017.
National Security Council on standby over Ukraine
The Slovak Security Council is on standby, monitoring the country’s border with Ukraine. No movement of migrants or an increased number of visa applications of Ukrainian citizens has occurred thus far, but if necessary, Slovakia is ready to respond, the Government Office press department informed the TASR newswire February 19. According to a statement made by Prime Minister Robert Fico earlier in the day, the Slovak Government is concerned about the recent wave of violence that has erupted on the streets of Kiev. The cabinet condemned all forms of violence and called for it to end immediately. According to the latest reports, at least 26 people have been killed in clashes between the police and protesters since February 18 – an estimated 16 demonstrators, including one journalist, and 10 police officers. At least 241 more people have suffered injuries that have required hospital treatment. These were the bloodiest clashes since the outbreak of demonstrations against President Viktor Yanukovych.
Bratislava's gritty side
THE PHOTOGRAPHY of Anton Sládek focuses not just on beautiful snapshots of popular sites, but also on the hidden corners, ugly scars and small details of the Slovak capital. An exhibition of Slá- dek’s work called Bratislava, mesto bez nehy (Bratislava, the City without Tenderness), can be seen at Galéria F7 in Františkánske Square Tuesday to Saturday afternoons until March 1.
Mafia
“THIS is how the mafia works, they take care of their own.” Daniel Lipšic’s assessment of Tomáš Borec’s decision to help a former regional Smer politician convicted of corruption stay out of jail, at least for the time being, does contain some degree of political hyperbole. Borec is no Mafioso.
Slovakia on alert over neighbouring Ukraine
FOREIGN Minister Miroslav Lajčák and other EU foreign ministers were meeting to impose sanctions on people who are, in their words, responsible for escalating the violence underway in Kiev’s Independence Square as the world looked on in horror. As clashes continue, Slovak officials have begun preparations to deal with further instability in the country’s eastern neighbour – with the possibility of Ukrainian refugees seeking to cross into Slovakia should the violence swell even further.
Lajčák: Targeted action needed in Ukraine
THE EUROPEAN Union should take targeted measures against the individuals responsible for the violence in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák said after a cabinet session on February 19, one day ahead of the meeting of EU foreign ministers about the situation in Ukraine.
Slovakia’s hotels are empty
TWO THIRDS of the beds in Slovakia’s hotels remain empty, which puts Slovakia at the bottom of the EU hotel occupancy chart compiled by Eurostat.
KDH criticises ‘gender equality’ on university applications
THE CHRISTIAN Democratic Movement (KDH) held a press conference on February 19 to slam the Education Ministry for what they called a violation of laws and denying centuries-long used terminology for parents.
Czech bishops ask Pope to meet Bezák
THE BISHOPS of Bohemia and Moravia during their visit to Rome between February 11-17 asked Pope Francis to meet with former archbishop of Trnava Róbert Bezák, the bishop of Ostrava-Opava František Václav Lobkowicz Opraem said in an interview with the Czech Christian television channel Noe, as reported by the TASR newswire.
Slovakia to send more troops to Afghanistan
SLOVAKIA is planning to dispatch up to another six soldiers to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, according to a proposal drafted by the Defence Ministry that has been submitted for inter-departmental review.
Slovakia to work on its branding
SOME time next year Slovakia will present itself to the world with new and more attractive branding, Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák announced at a press conference on February 18.
Hockey team bows out of Olympics
SLOVAKIA’S national ice hockey team lost 5:3 to the Czech Republic on February 18, thus ending any chances of a medal at the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. The Czechs move on to face the United States in the quarterfinals.
Bus drivers to get pay raise
BUS company salaries will increase by 2.7 percent, while the real salaries will grow at another 0.5 percent, according to the new higher-level collective agreement for 2014 and 2015 signed between the trade unions and Association of Bus Transport on February 17. Representatives of bus companies promise the increased salaries will not impact fares.
Poll shows Kiska now clearly Fico’s top rival
PHILANTHROPIST Andrej Kiska is the most likely to meet Prime Minister Robert Fico in the second round presidential run-off, according to recent poll.
Leaders shocked by violence in Ukraine
SLOVAKIA’S Foreign Affairs Ministry is shocked by the latest wave of violence in Ukraine that has claimed the lives of at least nine people, according to the statement published on the ministry website on February 18.
Borec specifies changes to judiciary
THE NEW chair of the Judicial Council could be selected by the president from two candidates recommended by the Constitutional Court president, reads a proposal unveiled by Justice Minister Tomáš Borec after meeting Speaker of Parliament Pavol Paška and representatives of judiciary on February 18. The procedure involving the selection of the Supreme Court president will go unchanged.
Atlas of Roma Communities published in March
THE COMPLETE 2013 Atlas of Roma Communities is set to appear in the first half of March. The document examines the geographic locations of municipalities and cities containing Roma communities, as well as the concentrations and numbers of the Roma community.
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- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- 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
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- UK appoints Bilal Zahid as new ambassador to Slovakia
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- 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
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- 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
- The disinformation scene has become a tool of media capture
- 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 Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- 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 ›
