Good evening. Here is theWednesday, January 24 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
PMs speak of 'constructive' conversation
Robert Fico (left) and his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal. (source: TASR)
On Wednesday, the Slovak and Ukrainian Prime Ministers, Robert Fico and Denys Shmyhal, respectively, met in Uzhhorod, a town near the Slovak border.
According to Shmyhal, despite differences in opinion, both governments intend to pursue a policy of "new pragmatism" to the benefit of both countries, adding that Fico assured him that Slovakia supports Ukrainian's bid to join the EU and will not block a €50 billion EU aid package for his country.
"It is not the last meeting, either; we will continue to develop our pragmatic and very reliable ties," he stated on social media. Fico invited Shmyhal to visit Slovakia.
Taking to social media, Fico said that he doesn't believe in a military solution to the war in Ukraine and that the Slovak government will lend support to any peace initiative to end the violence.
Last week Fico had claimed Ukraine has been under the control and influence of the USA since the 2014 pro-Europe Maidan demonstrations.
After the meeting between the two PMs, the US Embassy in Slovakia welcomed the meeting and appreciated Slovakia’s continued support for Ukraine. It said though that the US "categorically rejects Prime Minister Fico’s statement that Ukraine is a state under US influence. Such comments are unbecoming of a NATO Ally," read the statement on social media, adding that, "if Putin were to ever attack Slovakia, the United States and other NATO Allies would stand with the Slovak people to fight back."
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FEATURE STORY FOR WEDNESDAY
Iconic peak offers incredible experience in winter
Veľký Rozsutec in its full glory. (source: Matúš Beňo)
Legend has it that Jánošík, the legendary Slovak "Robin Hood", hid the treasures he stole from wealthy aristocrats in the surrounding rocks and ravines. You're unlikely to find any of the gold if you go there, but what you will definitely end up with is a treasure trove of experiences and magnificent vistas.
Veľký Rozsutec is definitely worth visiting in every season of the year, but in winter it is something entirely different. Pack up your winter hiking gear as you're going to need every bit of it.
EVENT FOR THE WEEK
The diversity of contemporary Nordic cinema
Scandi, the contemporary Scandinavian films showcase, is back. Starting today and lasting until January 31, the event brings the best films from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland. You can bet there will be a movie starring Mads Mikkelsen. The festival is taking place across Slovakia. For more information about participating cinemas, programme and tickets, click here.
IN OTHER NEWS
Ex prime minister Ľudovít Ódor will lead Progresívne Slovensko's (PS) slate in the upcoming European Parliament elections. "I didn't plan on being here, but in principle it's hard for me to watch how this [Robert Fico's] government is taking Slovakia in the wrong direction," said the ex-PM. (TASR)
Bratislava airport is warning against fake social media accounts offering lost luggage for sale at extremely low prices. According to spokeswoman Veronika Tóthová, the accounts are called, for example, Bratislava Airport and Bratislava Terminal A, adding that the airport has nothing to do with them and is considering taking legal action over them. (TASR)
Opposition parties SaS and PS want to initiate a no-confidence vote in Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová (SNS nom.). The minister recently faced criticism over an anti-LGBT+ poll on the Ministry's Facebook page, cancelling funding for Kunsthalle Bratislava, and scrapping a ban on its communication and cooperation with Russia and Belarus, among other things. A petition demanding her resignation has been signed by almost 180,000 people. (TASR)
President Zuzana Čaputová did not sign an amendment to the Competence Act that was re-approved by Parliament on January 16 despite her veto and will ask the Constitutional Court to look at it. The amendment includes the establishment of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, as well as changes to how chairs of the Health Care Supervisory Authority and Statistics Office are appointed. (TASR)
Slovakia’s national railway carrier ZSSK will again run a direct rail connection with the Croatian city of Split this upcoming summer holiday season. Tickets are already available for the service which will operate between May 3 and October 5, with trains leaving from the Bratislava-Nové Mesto train station and heading to Austria via the Petržalka train station. (TASR)
On Wednesday, the IBU Open European Championships has started in Osrblie, central Slovakia. The event will continue on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR THURSDAY
Overcast with rain and showers in many places, snow on higher ground. Daily temperatures between 3 °C and 11 °C. Several weather warnings have been issued, with wind warnings in place across almost the entire the county, but especially for both High and Low Tatras where a level 3 warning is in place. For more details, see this map. (SHMÚ)
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