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Radicova: Kovac Grilled Me About Current Developments in Politics

Bratislava, July 31 (TASR) - Former President Michal Kovac showed big interest in current developments on the Slovak political scene, Prime Minister Iveta Radicova (SDKU-DS) told reporters after visiting Kovac at the Neurology Clinic in Bratislava's borough of Kramare on Saturday evening. The premier said that the president's state of health has improved and he was able… read more

Dzurinda: No Need to Rush into Replacing Ambassadors

Bratislava, July 31 (TASR) - Foreign Affairs Minister Mikulas Dzurinda (SDKU-DS) said on Saturday that he won't replace the ambassadors in a rush. Dzurinda keeps a close eye on their work, as he wants these posts to be held only by professionals who are able to competently promote interests of Slovakia. "I will pay no attention to the colour of the tie an ambassador… read more

167 Students Interested in Learning Slovak Language at Summer School

Bratislava, July 31 (TASR) - Foreigners interested in getting to know the Slovak culture and learning the Slovak language can enrol at the Studia Academica Slovaca's (SAS) Summer School of Slovak Language and Culture, SAS secretary Adela Gabrikova told TASR. The summer classes are scheduled for August 1-21, bound to take place at the Public Administration Institute. In… read more

Dzurinda Does About Turn on US Anti-missile Shield

Bratislava, July 30 (TASR) - Slovakia will support the American anti-missile defence programme in which the Czech Republic will take part, with Foreign Affairs Minister Mikulas Dzurinda seeing no problem with the programme if agreed upon jointly by the US, NATO and the Czech Republic. "It's all about dialogue and a co-ordinated approach. New threats don't allow us remain… read more

Dzurinda: European Commission Receives Slovakia\'s Aid Request

Bratislava, July 30 (TASR) - The European Commission has already received Slovakia's request to provide resources in order to alleviate the damages caused by floods in late May and early June. "We already have confirmation from the European Commission that they have received our request on providing a contribution from the Solidarity Fund," Foreign Affairs Minister Mikulas… read more

Dzurinda: Slovak Foreign Policy Will Have One Face Only

Bratislava, July 30 (TASR) - Slovakia's foreign policy in the years ahead will feature a unified presentation of the country abroad, and this will be based on the values that Slovakia traditionally sticks to. Speaking to journalists on Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister Mikulas Dzurinda said that in practice this will translate into Slovakia not being two-faced anymore… read more

Miklos: Harabin Keeps FinMin Auditor Out of Court Premises

Bratislava, July 30 (TASR) - The Finance Ministry said on Friday it had been barred from carrying out an audit at the Supreme Court a day earlier after the court's chairman (and former justice minister) Stefan Harabin deemed their letter of authorisation invalid. This was a unprecedented move from the institution which is supposed to be a guarantor of the rule of law,… read more

Government: We Have to Tackle Troubles We\'ve Inherited

Bratislava, July 29 (TASR) - The new Cabinet is trying to tackle many problems inherited from its predecessors, Government Office said in a statement in response to criticism expressed by former premier and chairman of currently the strongest opposition Smer-SD Robert Fico on Thursday. "Slovakia has the second highest unemployment rate in the European Union, municipalities… read more

Government Wants to Revisit Quashing of Meciar\'s Amnesties

Bratislava, July 29 (TASR) - The Government Manifesto opens with a preamble which, among other things, contains a pledge to work out a constitutional law that would enable the so-called Meciar's amnesties to be quashed, TASR was told by coalition Christian Democrats (KDH) spokesman Martin Krajcovic on Thursday. A series of amnesties issued by then-Premier and acting President… read more

Lipsic: Police Intervention Against Hauliers to Be Investigated

Bratislava, July 29 (TASR) - An Interior Ministry inspection will look into police action against hauliers demonstrating against the new electronic road-toll system at the beginning of 2010, Interior Minister Daniel Lipsic said at a briefing on Thursday. "The information that we have is serious, and that's why I've decided to have it investigated," he said. Lipsic… read more

Radicova: Manifesto Contains No Radical Reforms

Bratislava, July 28 (TASR) - The Government's Manifesto, set to be submitted to Parliament on August 3, contains no radical reforms. "Reforms are not launched for the sake of reforms," Prime Minister Iveta Radicova said at a press conference on Wednesday. According to Radicova, the Manifesto is designed to realistically address the social situation of citizens and the… read more

90 Percent of Reserves for Alleviating Flood Damage Already Used

Bratislava, July 28 (TASR) - More than €22.8 million was used out of €25-million package allocated by the former government to alleviate damage caused by floods, according to the document examined by Iveta Radicova's Cabinet on Wednesday. The damage caused by the floods in May and June is estimated at €695.1 million, with the Agriculture Ministry reporting the highest… read more

Sulik: We Agreed to Include 22 OL Demands Into Manifesto, Not 100

Bratislava, July 28 (TASR) - Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party chairman Richard Sulik has had an agreement with SaS MP and member of the 'Ordinary People' (OL) faction Igor Matovic that 22 OL programme points will be included into the Government's Manifesto, with Sulik entitled to veto every additional one. "There's more than 20 demands already included. However, Matovic… read more

Gasparovic: Coalition Suffers Serious Problems With Integrity

Bratislava, July 28 (TASR) - The new Coalition is clearly experiencing problems with integrity and the upcoming Parliamentary sessions will soon reveal how the Government will fare, Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic told TASR on Wednesday. Gasparovic spoke in reaction to the current situation, wherein four Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) MPs are contemplating leaving the… read more

Government Passes Its Manifesto (UPDATE)

Bratislava, July 28 (TASR) - The Cabinet led by Premier Iveta Radicova at its session on Wednesday passed the Government Manifesto. The document is now awaiting approval from Parliament in early August. The vote in Parliament will at the same time be viewed as a vote of confidence for the new executive. The Government views the introduction of new political culture and… read more