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Miklos: Scheme of Sanctions for EU Spendthrifts Insufficient

Luxembourg, October 19 (TASR) - Even though EU countries' finance ministers failed to adopt a mechanism of automatic sanctions for member states that flout budgetary guidelines, Finance Minister Ivan Miklos (SDKU-DS) said on Tuesday that nonetheless, spendthrift countries will now have to "watch their backs" more carefully. Slovakia was among the countries pushing for… read more

American Investor Might Give Jobs to 600 People in Eastern Slovakia

Bratislava, October 19 (TASR) - A significant US investor might create up to 600 new jobs in eastern Slovakia, Economy and Construction Minister Juraj Miskov (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) has told TASR. "The investor is choosing between Slovakia and Poland," said Miskov, adding that the decision regarding the location of the higher value added investment should be made… read more

Soros to Come to Bratislava to Discuss EU Policies on Roma Inclusion

Bratislava, October 19 (TASR) - Philanthropist, financier and founder of a network of Open Society Foundations George Soros will come to Bratislava on October 20 for a two-day visit, TASR was told by Barbara Horvathova from the Foundation on Tuesday. Soros will take part in an expert discussion concerning the challenges of the common EU policy aimed the Roma communities.… read more

FinMin: It\'s Easy to Create New Tax on Banks, But We Prefer Better Moves

Bratislava, October 19 (TASR) - It is surprising how quickly Smer-SD chairman Robert Fico is able to prepare a legislative proposal on the additional taxation of banks, even though he was unable to take any tangible steps during the four years of his government, Finance Ministry spokesman Martin Jaros told TASR on Tuesday. Jaros was speaking in reaction to Smer's proposal… read more

Mihal Outlines Planned Changes in Labour Sector

Bratislava, October 19 (TASR) - The Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Ministry is planning to introduce legislative changes aimed at boosting employment, with minister Jozef Mihal (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) describing the fight against unemployment as the "top priority", TASR learnt on Tuesday. The changes will concern certain provisions in the Labour Code, with… read more

Unemployment Rate Rose Moderately in September to 12.42 percent

Bratislava, October 19 (TASR) - Slovakia's unemployment rate rose by 0.23 percentage points in September to reach 12.42 percent, the Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Office (UPSVaR) announced on Tuesday. A total of 377,007 job-seekers were registered at job centres in September. Of this number, 333,841 were immediately available to start work. The figure was 6,734… read more

Slovakia\'s Smoked Sheep\'s Cheese Receives EU\'s TSG Label

Brussels, October 19 (TASR-correspondent) - Slovakia's traditional smoked sheep's cheese (Ovci salasnicky udeny syr) is to be included among the so-called "traditional specialities guaranteed" (TSG), according to a decision made by the European Commission on Monday. The inclusion of the product on the TSG list won't prevent Slovakia-based firms from producing this specific… read more

Radicova: Czech-Slovak Military Co-Operation Could Save Money

Bratislava/Prague, October 18 (TASR) - Slovakia and the Czech Republic concur that common ground needs to be found in the field of defence that would allow joint financing of some elements, Prime Minister Iveta Radicova said after her meeting with Czech Senate Speaker Premysl Sobotka on Monday. "This would save financial resources for both countries," said Radicova, who… read more

Figel: Existing Infrastructure Could Be Used for Broad-Gauge Rail

Bratislava, October 18 (TASR) - The decision on the construction of broad-gauge railroad track across Slovakia will be postponed to December 15, Transport Minister Jan Figel (Christian Democrats/KDH) said at a press conference on Monday. According to Figel, this is because the study on the feasibility of broad-gauge track needs to be augmented by an evaluation of using… read more

Group of Coalition MPs Wants State Symbols Removed from Classrooms

Bratislava, October 18 (TASR) - A group of coalition MPs from Most-Hid, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) and SDKU-DS opposes the idea of having the state symbols on display in each and every school classroom, as was introduced by the former Government. That's why the coalition collective, though not joined by those from the rows of the Christian Democrats (KDH), on Monday in Parliament… read more

Sulik Wants to Reduce MPs\' Salaries By So-called Fico Levy

Bratislava, October 18 (TASR) - The paypacket of an MP is to go down by the so-called Fico levy. "We're introducing the Fico levy that will amount to double the value of the deficit (in percentage terms)," Parliamentary Speaker Richard Sulik (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) said on Monday. Sulik added that by virtue of this amendment to the Public Officials Reimbursement… read more

Radicova and Necas Re-affirm Proximity of Stances

Prague, October 18 (TASR-correspondent) - Nuclear energy, the EU's new budgetary procedures and the consolidation of public finances featured strongly in talks between Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radicova and Czech Premier Petr Necas in Prague on Monday. This is Radicova's first official visit to the Czech Republic following her appointment as premier. "We've been… read more

Figel: Slovakia to Continue Building Motorways

Bratislava, October 18 (TASR) - Transport Minister Jan Figel on Monday gave assurances that the Government and his ministry will continue to build motorways and in a cheaper and more efficient fashion than the previous government. Marking one hundred days in office, Figel said that motorway construction under the former government was entirely based around public-private… read more

Uhliarik: Health Ministry Has Done Good Job Since Change of Leadership

Bratislava, October 18 (TASR) - Good work has been done in the health care sector in the past three months, notwithstanding the close to €200-million debt that the previous government left in the sector, Health Minister Ivan Uhliarik (Christian Democrats/KDH) told a press conference on Monday. The debt translated into poorer services for patients and a lower level of… read more

Butora: Slovakia\'s Rejection of Loan to Greece Could Backfire

Bratislava, October 17 (TASR) - The refusal to lend money to Greece could backfire on Slovakia, thinks sociologist and honorary president of the Public Affairs Institute (IVO) Martin Butora. Butora said Slovakia could face a backlash, for example, during decision-making on the European budget, the launch of new projects, or when it comes to support for Slovak candidates… read more