Archive of articles - March 2014, page 17
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Helsinki Committee calls on Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty
THE HELSINKI Committee for Human Rights in Slovakia called on the representatives of the Russian Federation not to abuse the situation in Ukraine and interfere in the internal affairs of the country, and to fully respect its sovereignty.
KDH and Smer to amend Constitution together; criticism follows
THE CHRISTIAN Democratic Movement (KDH) has agreed with the ruling Smer party on a joint action to amend the Constitution, despite the previous statements of KDH representatives that such deal was out of the question.
Fico: Slovakia calls for diplomatic solution to Crimea crisis
PRIME Minister Robert Fico in a written statement on Saturday said that Slovakia, as a neighbouring country of Ukraine, is concerned about the latest escalation of tension involving Crimea.
Consumer mood up in January
THE CONSUMER confidence indicator improved in January, rising by 5.5 points to -13.5 points as compared to December 2013, according to a survey carried out by the Statistics Office (ŠÚ) in early January on 1,151 respondents aged 16 and older.
Exercise: Slovakia struggles to raise top athletes
This exercise is linked to the article: Slovakia struggles to raise top athletes
First union deal under new law signed
SOME bus drivers will see their wages rise €20 per month as the first collective bargaining agreement under a controversial new law was agreed to earlier this month.
Businesses would expand abroad
THE LAST few years have seen an increasing number of Slovak start-ups and larger companies alike succeeding not only in Slovakia, but also abroad, analyses have shown.
EC: GDP to grow at 2.3%
SLOVAKIA will be the second fastest growing economy of the eurozone and will contribute to Europe’s overall economic recovery, which according to the recent winter 2014 forecast of the European Commission (EC), “began in the second quarter of 2013, [and] is expected to continue spreading across countries and gain strength, while at the same time becoming more balanced”.
A Nordic Visegrad?
THE SCANDINAVIANS smile for two reasons. The first is they are flattered by the recognition shown to them by others. The second is the assumption that others, in the “new” Europe, need a long time to reach their level of prosperity, if ever.
Slovakia struggles to raise top athletes
A glossary of words as well as an exercise related to this article are also published online.
Poprad Doctors’ Days saw ‘silent singing’ of hearing impaired children
HEARING impaired children performed their “silent singing” at the second year of the Poprad Doctors’ Days event in early February. The children express music through dance and finger spelling.
Bratislava’s Stein brewery at risk
THE PREMISES of the former Stein brewery in downtown Bratislava could be threatened by the wrecking ball, according to the Club for the Protection of Technical Monuments. The owner of the complex intends to develop the defunct brewery into a modern complex.
Quote of the week
“If we agree, there will be everything; if we don’t agree, there will be nothing.”
Slower growth in interest in tax haven
SLOVAK companies with an owner seated in a tax haven numbered 3,853 at the end of 2013. While this represents an annual increase by 5.68 percent, or 207 companies, the interest of Slovak businesses in relocating decreased moderately, as in 2012 this was 553 companies more than in 2011. Consultancy firm Bisnode ascribes this to the pressure of the European Union and the US on tax havens, but also to legislative change in the Seychelles, once a popular tax heaven, the SITA newswire wrote in late January.
Monitored Eagle Arnold in Botswana; should return to Slovakia soon
ARNOLD the eagle, whose migration is being monitored by environmentalists and the Slovak public, was still in the south of Africa in the second half of February.
Amended Immigration Law in the Slovak Republic
Residence permits in Slovakia for nationals of non-EU member countries are governed by the Act on Residence of Foreign Nationals. As of January 2014, the amendment to the Act on Residence of Foreign Nationals introduced significant changes, namely in terms of permits for temporary residence.
VAT and income taxes in Slovakia
Value added tax (VAT)Basic rate: 20 percentReduced rate on books and medicines: 10 percent
Race tightens; Fico has a closer rival
THOUGH billboards that have been imposing images of presidential candidates on the population for several months suggest otherwise, the official campaigning for the March 15 presidential vote officially started on February 28. Observers say this could still very much shuffle the deck, with the forthcoming televised debates remaining a major factor yet to come. The race has tightened up, as suggested by the pre-election polls, which no longer show the victory of Prime Minister Robert Fico as unshakeable, as it appeared to be two months ago. One poll has shown businessman and philanthropist Andrej Kiska climbing within 3 percent of Fico, whose popularity has been oscillating around 37 percent, on average. Pundits noted that Kiska might be benefiting from his still blank political slate.
Slovakia helps Ukrainians
UKRAINE is no longer literally burning, but the crisis is far from over. While politicians keep their eyes on Slovakia’s eastern border, humanitarian organisations have launched efforts looking to help those on the other side. As The Slovak Spectator went to print on February 27, the new Ukrainian government had just been presented, but the political situation in the country still showed little reason for optimism. Slovak politicians joined the voices of the international community welcoming the end to the violence in Kiev that shocked Europe the week before, but remained alert over the state of affairs across Slovakia’s eastern border. Meanwhile, humanitarian organisations have only started their work in Ukraine, saying that although the political crisis might be fading away, the humanitarian crisis is a reality for many Ukrainians now.
Slovakia combats tax evasion
WITH tax evasion in Slovakia prevalent enough to be considered a ‘national sport’, the Finance Ministry devised a three-phase action plan in 2012 to combat the problem. Recent figures indicate that the plan, whose measures have been implemented gradually, is starting to bear fruit.
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- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
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- Bratislava unveils its first 3D-printed bus stop Photo
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- Irish metal band to make long-awaited debut in Bratislava Video
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- News digest: Fico tells Berlin Slovakia will not take lessons on Russia
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Why a British teacher chose Slovakia as home Audio
- Bratislava unveils its first 3D-printed bus stop Photo
- Slovakia’s secret weapon is living abroad
- Irish metal band to make long-awaited debut in Bratislava Video
- Fico turns to X to shape his global image
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- News digest: Renaissance lady vanishes, ministry brushes off ‘stupid questions’
- Man appeals for help finding strangers who saved his life
- Employers outline €6.5 billion in spending cuts, but Fico fires back
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
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- Banská Štiavnica becomes a centre of contemporary photography again Photo
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