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Radicova: Poland Supports North-South Energy Interconnection

Warsaw, July 23 (TASR) - Poland significantly supports the North-South energy inter-connection, said Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radicova after meeting with her Polish counterpart Donald Tusk in Warsaw on Friday. "They're ready to join us in this process," said Radicova. "I hope we have made a significant step forward, because there was enough talking done concerning… read more

Matovic: Sulik and Radicova Vowed to Include Our Priorities in Manifesto

Bratislava, July 23 (TASR) - Priorities from the programme of the 'Ordinary People' faction within Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party haven't been included in the draft Government manifesto, the faction's head Igor Matovic told TASR on Friday. However, he added that SaS chairman Richard Sulik has promised to him that the items will indeed be included in the manifesto… read more

Radicova: Government Office Wasn\'t Source of Manifesto Draft Leak

Bratislava/Warsaw, July 23 (TASR) - While on an official visit to Warsaw on Friday, Prime Minister Iveta Radicova gave assurances to Slovak journalists that it wasn't her office that provided the draft of the Government's manifesto to the media, TASR learnt on the same day. She highlighted the fact that the paper is merely a working version of the manifesto and added… read more

Gasparovic: ICJ\'s Ruling on Kosovo Piece of Good News for Separatists

Bratislava, July 23 (TASR) - Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic said on Friday that he was surprised by the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague a day earlier which ruled that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence in 2008 didn't violate international law. According to Gasparovic, the ICJ's ruling has reduced the scope for further debate.… read more

Tusk: Radicova Gaining Image of Tough and Decisive Politician

Warsaw, July 23 (TASR) - Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radicova has gained an image as a decisive and tough politician in Europe, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said after the two met on Friday in Warsaw. Tusk appreciated the fact that Radicova chose Warsaw as one of the first places to visit after becoming Premier. "Slovakia and Poland are gaining a great deal… read more

Heads of Top Managers Roll at Slovak Post Office and ZSSK Cargo

Bratislava, July 23 (TASR) - Transport, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Jan Figel (Christian Democrats/KDH) earlier this week dismissed CEO of the Slovak Post Office Libor Chrast and member of the management board of the National Highway Company (NDS) Juraj Cermak, TASR has been told by Figel's spokesman Martin Krajcovic. Figel also recalled members of the management… read more

Spisiak: More Mafia Murders Likely to Happen

Bratislava, July 23 (TASR) - The underworld will heat up soon and Mafia-style murders are likely to ensue, re-installed Police Corps President Jaroslav Spisiak said on the TV JOJ Plus night talk show Lampa on Thursday. "My theory is based on the premise that organised crime gangs resort to murdering each other only when it's absolutely necessary, when no other possible… read more

SNS: ICJ Decision Turned International Law into Useless Scrap of Paper

Bratislava, July 22 (TASR) - The verdict of the International Court of Justice in Hague on unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence turned international law into a piece of useless paper, Slovak National Party (SNS) vice-chair Anna Belousovova said on Thursday. According to Belousovova, this verdict enables the law of the stronger to prevail – much as it is in… read more

Tax Hikes Possible Only with Cuts or Cancellation of Some Deductions

Bratislava, July 22 (TASR) - According to the new Government, whether or not taxes will be raised depends on changes in the deduction system. "We'll maintain the flat income tax and won't raise it (from its current 19 percent). Any prospective raise in income tax can take place only with the cancellation or decreasing of some deductions," according to the working draft… read more

Ministry: Our Stance on Kosovo Doesn\'t Change Despite ICJ Verdict

Bratislava, July 22 (TASR) - The verdict of the International Court of Justice in the Hague regarding the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence will have no direct impact on the stance of Slovakia vis-a-vis the issue, Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Peter Stano said on Thursday. The stance of Slovakia continues to be based on the resolution of the UN Security… read more

Figel: KDH to Come Up with Candidate for Bratislava Mayor Next Week

Bratislava, July 22 (TASR) - Christian Democrats (KDH) will update their Coalition partners about their proposal concerning a KDH nominee for Bratislava mayor next week, party chairman Jan Figel said following a session of KDH's top ranks on Thursday. The session saw discussion concerning the upcoming municipal election in November, said Figel, adding that KDH aims to… read more

Cabinet Aims to Cut Paperwork Load by 25 percent by 2012

Bratislava, July 22 (TASR) - Better conditions for entrepreneurs, a 25-percent reduction in red tape for businesses by 2012 and informatisation of the state and public administration are the chief priorities of the Economy Ministry, according to a working version of the Government Manifesto that TASR has obtained. The points are included in the ministry's priorities for… read more

Slovak and Czech Defence Ministers to Strengthen Co-Operation

Prague, July 22 (TASR-correspondent) - Slovak Defence Minister Lubomir Galko and his Czech counterpart Alexander Vondra agreed on strengthening the scope of co-operation between Slovak and Czech armies at their meeting in Prague on Thursday. "We concurred unanimously on maintaining and improving this co-operation in the future," said minister Vondra, conceding that strategic… read more

Mitrik: I Accept the Post of SIS Director with Humility

Spisska Nova Ves, July 22 (TASR) - Karol Mitrik told TASR on Thursday that he is humbled by the nomination to the post of Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS) director. "I'm heading in (to the job) fully determined to help the country, to help the Slovak Republic," said Mistrik. He refused to provide any further comments, as all the official procedures haven't taken place… read more

Local Council Tax Revenues Shrank by One-fifth Y-o-Y in 1Q10

Bratislava, July 22 (TASR) - Higher unemployment rates throughout all regions of Slovakia have translated into lower tax revenues, with local councils collecting nearly 20 percent less year-on-year in taxes in the first quarter of 2010, according to a study published by the Slovak Credit Bureau (SCB) on Thursday. The most dramatic y-o-y slumps in tax revenues were seen… read more