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Fico: Shortcomings in Army Equipment to Be Addressed After Crisis

Bratislava, February 19 (TASR) - When the global economic crisis is over and economic indicators improve, the Slovak army will certainly resume its position as an institution with some level of comfort when it comes to purchasing new equipment, for instance, said Prime Minister Robert Fico following his inspection at the Defence Ministry on Friday. The Defence and Interior… read more

Stats Office: All Fuel Prices Fell Between February 8-14

Bratislava, February 19 (TASR) - The consumer prices of all monitored motor fuels in Slovakia fell between February 8-14, the Statistics Office announced on Friday. The average price of 98-octane petrol went down by 2.02 percent to €1.312 per litre, while the most moderate price reduction was for 95-octane petrol, whose price fell by 0.08 percent to €1.176. The… read more

Rectors Oppose University Act Amendment in Open Letter

Bratislava, February 18 (TASR) - College and university rectors plan to send an open letter to MPs conveying their disapproval with the University Act amendment submitted by MP Mojmir Mamojka (Smer-SD), Comenius University Rector Frantisek Gaher said at a press conference on Thursday. The letter titled 'Twilight Over Quality of University Education', signed by ten rectors… read more

Angyal: If There\'s Any Possibility to Head Up UVO Office, I Will

Bratislava, February 18 (TASR) - The incumbent Public Procurement Office (UVO) Chairman Bela Angyal said at a press conference on Thursday that if he receives an offer to take up his post in the next term, he will accept. "I haven't received any official offer yet, only held consultations with experts on what is allowed by law and what not," said Angyal. The UVO Chairman… read more

Lajcak Meets Czech Minister of EU Affairs Chmiel to Discuss Range of Topics

Bratislava, February 18 (TASR) - During his meeting with Czech Minister of EU Affairs Juraj Chmiel on Thursday, Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak has declared his support for any projects that reflect the above-standard relations of both countries. "We're happy to see all the activities that are joining the two nations in the sphere of culture - whether… read more

Ryanair to Cancel Lines from Bratislava to Frankfurt and Duesseldorf

Bratislava, February 18 (TASR) - Irish low-cost airline Ryanair is to cancel the routes from Bratislava to Frankfurt and Duesseldorf as of April 29, Slovak economic weekly Trend reported on its website on Thursday. The most probable reason behind the decision may be the low number of passengers, which has been signalled by the extraordinary discounts being offered. The… read more

Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 Winners Announced

Bratislava, February 18 (TASR) - Michal Stencl, founder and chairman of Sygic company, was named Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 of the Slovak Republic from a field of 30 nominees. The criteria used by the jury in making its decision included the entrepreneur's personality, financial results and strategic orientation. Stencl founded Sygic to develop navigation… read more

Extraordinary Session on SDKU-DS Financing Not Proposed Yet

Bratislava, February 18 (TASR) - At the moment on the agenda of the Slovak Parliament, there's no sign of an extraordinary parliamentary session to deal with the non-transparent financing of the strongest opposition party SDKU-DS – the case that has taken the political world by storm as the June 12 general election edges closer. "I'm only allowed to act in line with… read more

Analysts: Situation on Labour Market Will Improve only Slowly

Bratislava, February 18 (TASR) - The unemployment rate increase as recorded in January (reaching 12.89 percent) represents only a slight rise compared to December (+0.23 percentage points) and the situation should begin to improve in the next few months, Labour, Social Affairs and Family Centre said on Thursday. Analysts have noted, however, that seeing a fall in the… read more

Fico May Visit Switzerland in March and Wants to Speak about Accounts

Bratislava, February 18 (TASR) - The planned trip of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to Switzerland, which was announced two weeks ago in order to obtain more details on Swiss bank account holders, could take place in early March, Fico confirmed at a news conference in Bratislava on Thursday. Fico said he would get in touch with Swiss President Doris Leuthard before… read more

Number of People Receiving Social Benefits Up by 13.6% Y-o-Y in January

Bratislava, February 18 (TASR) - The number of people in Slovakia that are reliant on social allowances rose in January by 13.6 percent year-on-year to reach 181,990, the Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Centre (UPSVaR) announced on Thursday. In January alone, the state paid out as much as €22.44 million for social allowances. Most people receiving social allowances… read more

Opposition: We Won\'t Nominate SPF Members Prior to Elections

Bratislava, February 18 (TASR) - Opposition parties SDKU-DS, Christian Democrats (KDH) and ethnic-Hungarian SMK won't nominee their candidates for membership in the Slovak Land Fund (SPF) in this election term, SMK caucus leader told TASR on Thursday in response to Parliament Chairman Pavol Paska claims that the Opposition hasn't nominated its candidates through which it is… read more

Dzurinda Urges Fico to Respect Opposition\'s Right to Nominate UVO Chief

Bratislava, February 18 (TASR) - Opposition parties SDKU-DS, the Christian Democrats (KDH) and the ethnic-Hungarian SMK have written a letter to Prime Minister Robert Fico urging him to respect their right to nominate a candidate for the post of chairman of the Public Procurements Office (UVO), SDKU leader Mikulas Dzurinda told a press briefing on Thursday. "I want to… read more

SARIO to Promote Exports via Foreign Business Centres

Bratislava, February (TASR) - The Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) has announced plans to set up foreign business centres aimed at allowing domestic entrepreneurs to present their activities in the fields of energy, water and waste management, and cut-glass manufacturing. SARIO general director Juraj Kiesel further stated that businesses in the aforementioned… read more

PAS: Business Conditions in Slovakia Deteriorated Again in 4Q09

Bratislava, February 18 (TASR) - Business conditions in Slovakia worsened again in the final quarter of 2009, with the Business Environment Index (IPP), falling by 3.91 percent to below the 100-point mark for the first time - to 97.4 points, said Robert Kicina, managing director of the Slovak Business Alliance (PAS), which carries out the survey, at a press conference on Thursday.… read more