Slovakia
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Slovakia (Slovak Republic) is a country in central Europe that formed in 1993 when Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Initially there were frosty relations with the European Union and NATO and a rejection of economic reforms. Then all three factors changed with the country joining the EU and NATO in 2004. [1]
- "The only thing I know about Slovakia is what I learned first-hand from your foreign minister, who came to Texas."
- Then governor George W. Bush replying to a Slovak journalist. Bush met the leader of Slovenia, not Slovakia. [2]
Contents
Media
The BBC says of the country's media:
- The constitution guarantees freedom of expression and the press. Draft legislation raised concerns in early 2008. The opposition said the proposals - under which outlets that condoned "socially harmful" behaviour could face fines - threatened press freedom.
- TV channels from neighbouring countries, in particular the Czech Republic and Hungary, have a sizeable audience.[1]
Facts
- Population: 5,382,000
- Capital city: Bratislava
- GDP per Capita: U.S. $12,400
Leaders
- Ivan Gasparovic, President since 2004, appoints the prime minister
- Robert Fico, Prime minister, of the left-wing Smer Party which won nearly 30% of the votes, approved the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, former human rights lawyer
Resources
Related SourceWatch articles
- Katarina Mathernova
- Wendy W. Luers
- Carl Spielvogel - former US Ambassador
- Rodolphe M. Vallee - former US Ambassador
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Country profile: Slovakia, BBC, accessed April 2008.
- ↑ Slovak Republic F.A.Q., Slovakia.org, accessed April 2008.
- ↑ Slovakia, National Geographic, accessed April 2008.
External articles
- Oana Lungescu, "Slovaks expelled by EU socialists", BBC, October 13, 2006.
External resources
- Slovakia, Europa, accessed April 2008.
- Timeline: Slovakia, BBC, accessed April 2008.
