Good evening. Here is the Thursday, July 11 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Pellegrini holds talks with Zelensky at NATO summit
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speak during a press conference at the NATO summit in Washington, Thursday, July 11, 2024. (source: TASR/AP/Mark Schiefelbein)
In a significant show of unity, Slovakia, along with all NATO members, has expressed support for Ukraine’s bid for NATO membership. This collective stance was formalised in Wednesday’s declaration at the NATO summit in Washington.
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini further underscored this commitment by holding talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the summit.
“The two of us engaged in an open and direct dialogue without any diplomatic padding because I think this is how two neighbours should be able to discuss,” Pellegrini said, noting that he was interested in the situation on the front line.
During his discussions with Zelensky and members of the Ukrainian government, Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer) provided updates on logistics and the repair of damaged Ukrainian equipment being returned to Slovakia from the front lines. They also explored the potential for additional contracts for the Slovak arms industry.
“I clearly told the Ukrainian president that reality is more important than gestures, promises and various statements. Anyone can promise anything, but it is more important if they are able to deliver something,” said Pellegrini.
The peace-promoting Slovak president, who told his partners at NATO that Russia’s efforts to annex Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, are completely unacceptable, also announced plans for an official visit to Ukraine, likely scheduled for the autumn.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Politics: Prime Minister Fico recorded a new video in which he stated that Smer will never support Ukraine’s membership in NATO. He also predicts further assassination attempts.
Weather: Tragedy has struck Slovakia’s Belianske Tatry mountains as two tourists lost their lives and four others were injured by a landslide on Thursday afternoon.
Bratislava: Check out three free events happening in Bratislava on these days.
Slovaks abroad: Young Slovaks seek fresh perspectives abroad. Will they come back home?
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BOOK REVIEW
44 voices chronicle Slovak ancestral triumphs
"Slovak Settlers, The Emotional History of Immigration" by Zuzana Palovic and Gabriela Beregházyová
Despite a few shortcomings, the Slovak Settlers book is a noteworthy contribution to the literature, writes Kenneth Duda. The American also contributed his family’s stories to the book by Zuzana Palovic and Gabriela Beregházyová. Duda mentions a piece of his family history in his book review.
TOP 10 EVENTS IN BRATISLAVA
Dancing by the fountains
Try Latin American dances such as salsa, bachata and kizomba together with dance school instructors in the centre of Bratislava. (source: SME - Marko Erd)
Brush up on your French, meet Bratislava’s chimpanzees, or dance by selected fountains in the city.
IN OTHER NEWS
The BAK-12 arresting system for F-16 fighter jets, which increases the safety of aircraft on the runway, is ready. The certification test and a ceremonial handover of the system took place at the Malacky - Kuchyňa air base, western Slovakia, on July 10. The system will catch aircraft equipped with a hook during emergency situations, rejected takeoffs, or in the event of a braking system fault. Two American F-16 aircraft landed at the base midweek, with one jet conducting the test. (SITA)
The Slovak delegation on Wednesday did not join in the criticism of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s foreign trips at the meeting of EU ambassadors. The discussion was initiated by Poland after the Hungarian prime minister visited Russia and China. (Politico)
The Fico cabinet on Wednesday approved 16 proposals to designate transport infrastructure projects as strategic investments. Among them are sections of R4 and R2 expressways, D1 and D3 motorways, the modernisation of the Devínska Nová Ves - the Slovak-Czech State Border railway line, but also two hospitals. Projects with costs of more than €50 million can be granted the status. Previously, the cost limit was over €100 million. (SITA)
Slovak e-shops continued to grow this year. After a 4-percent increase in the first quarter, they posted another 5-percent increase in the second quarter, a regular e-Commerce Insider analysis shows. Stronger growth is hampered by a decline in large categories such as notebooks, dog kibble and proteins. However, new categories are growing, including air conditioners, awnings and dietary supplements. (SITA)
Leader of the far-right movement Republika and MEP Milan Uhrík has been elected as the Vice-President of the European Parliament’s group Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN). The group also includes Germany’s far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD). According to the German press agency DPA, AfD has refused to accept MEP Milan Mazurek, who is also a member of the Republika party and has been convicted of racism, into their group. (SITA)
Five Smer MEPs will not support Ursula von der Leyen for the President of the European Commission.
The first festival enthusiasts arrive at Trenčín airport on Thursday, where the Pohoda festival is taking place this weekend. (source: TASR - Jaroslav Novák)
WEATHER FOR FRIDAY: Friday morning skies will be clear, with more clouds expected later. Slovakia will experience another hot day. Daytime temperatures will rise to as high as 37°C in some places. Thunderstorms and showers are also expected during the day. The meteorological office has issued storm and heat warnings for almost the entire Slovakia. (SHMÚ)
JULY 12 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Nina.
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