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Radicova: Many Challenges Waiting for Government in 2011

Bratislava, January 3 (TASR) - The biggest challenges for the Government this year are unemployment, regional inequalities, the construction of motorways and public infrastructure, the creation of new jobs with added value, and investments in education, innovation and new technologies, Prime Minister Iveta Radicova has told TASR. According to Radicova, another goal should… read more

IVO Survey: Public Concerns Appear to Have Shiften Since 2010 Election

Bratislava, January 3 (TASR) - Several significant shifts took place in the minds of Slovaks as of 2010 that may be related to the change in government following the general election in June, indicates an Public Affairs Institute (IVO) survey released on Monday. IVO in November asked people about what they thought were the most serious problems faced by society, and compared… read more

Radicova to Miss State Awards Ceremony Due to Father\'s Death

Bratislava, January 3 (TASR) - Prime Minister Iveta Radicova on Monday morning apologised for the fact that she will miss the ceremony later in the day at which President Ivan Gasparovic will present state awards. "Her sorrow at her father's death on Sunday has prevented her from attending this significant event. [The premier] sincerely congratulates all the people receiving… read more

Simon: Slovak Food-Processing Industry Participation in GDP Only 2%

Bratislava, January 2 (TASR) - It is abnormal that Slovakia's food-processing industry only participates in the GDP at a rate of 2 percent, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Zsolt Simon (Most-Hid) has told TASR. "Something is failing in Slovakia in the sphere of the food-processing industry ... it's not normal," Simon said, pointing out that in most EU countries… read more

Jurzyca: Gov\'t Careful when Permitting Start-ups of Private Universities

Bratislava, January 2 (TASR) - The Government is very careful when giving permits to private universities, Education Minister Eugen Jurzyca (SDKU-DS) has told TASR. "This is due to the risk of the 'inflation' of university degrees," he said, adding that the issue doesn't concern state money as private universities don't get any - apart from scholarships. According… read more

Radicova: Credibility of Coalition Parties More Important Than Numbers

Bratislava, January 2 (TASR) - The performance of a coalition doesn't primarily depend on the number of its members, as it only takes one coalition partner to cause havoc, Prime Minister Iveta Radicova (SDKU-DS) has told TASR in an interview. It's the credibility of the partners that matters most, she added. Radicova pointed out that there have already been Coalitions… read more

Slovakia\'s Budget for 2011 Counts on Deficit to Be Reduced to €3.81 billion

Bratislava, January 1 (TASR) - Slovakia is as of Saturday following the new state budget, the deficit of which is set to fall from last-year's €4.54 billion to €3.81 billion in 2011. Total state revenues will stand at €13.15 billion, while expenditures will reach €16.96 billion. read more

RTS New Interim Director Zemkova Decided about RTS Makeshift Budget

Bratislava, January 1 (TASR) - Makeshift budget and appointing deputy directors will be my first steps on the post of Radio and Television Slovakia (RTS) head, said Miroslava Zemkova, who was appointed RTS interim director on Saturday. RTS as a new public service institution came into existence on Saturday following merger of the Slovak Television (STV) and the Slovak… read more

Gasparovic: Successes of Slovakia\'s Foreign Affairs Reason for Civic Pride

Bratislava, January 1 (TASR) - The results that have been achieved in the sphere of Slovakia's foreign affairs in recent years should be a source of real civic pride, said President Ivan Gasparovic in his New Year speech on Saturday. "Successes of [Slovak] diplomats, who are active or are about to be active in the EU foreign service belong among the showpieces of [Slovakia's]… read more

Survey: Almost Half of Slovaks Optimistic About 2011

Bratislava, December 31 (TASR) - Around 46 percent of Slovaks are optimistic about 2011, while 23 percent take a sceptical view, and 27 percent are pessimistic, according to the results of a KMG International survey carried out earlier this month on a sample of 1,006 respondents aged above 15. The most upbeat group were university-educated people, 64 percent of which… read more

Radicova: Increasing Age of Retirement Would Be Inhumane

Bratislava, December 31 (TASR) - Current demographic developments mean that the long-term sustainability of pension systems is an issue for almost every country, including Slovakia, Prime Minister Iveta Radicova (SDKU-DS) has told TASR. "That's why we help young families, because the basic solution for pensions is to have more children. This is the only long-term solution,"… read more

Krajcer: Transformation of TASR Among Big Issues in 2011

Bratislava, December 31 (TASR) - The Culture Ministry has prepared a host of legislative changes for 2011, including the transformation of the News Agency of the Slovak Republic (TASR), Culture Minister Daniel Krajcer (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) has told TASR in an interview. According to Krajcer, the changes that will concern TASR should be drawn up by December 2011.… read more

Shipping Company to Press Charges Over Bungled Police Action

Bratislava, December 30 (TASR) - Czech shipping company J&M PAVLAT intends to file a criminal complaint against the Slovak authorities and demand compensation after its lorry-driver Zdenek Pekara was detained in Turkey during a botched police operation, company head Martin Pavlat said on Thursday. "We've decided to file a criminal complaint in response to the damage that… read more

Galko: There Are Probably More Corrupt Officials Working at Ministry

Bratislava, December 30 (TASR) - The two officials at the Defence Ministry who have been accused of bribery in connection with tenders carried out when the ministry was under the remit of Smer-SD weren't the only ones conducting illegal activities, head of the Defence Ministry press department Ivan Rudolf told TASR on Thursday. "Of course we're glad that finally somebody… read more

Analysts: Food Prices May Rise by 7 percent in Some Months of 2011

Bratislava, December 30 (TASR) - The main challenge that the Government will have to face next year is the planned consolidation of public finances, whose deficit is projected to drop below 5 percent of GDP, analysts approached by TASR concur. "The economy will need to restore its reputation in the area of public finances and stick to the path of planned consolidation,"… read more