Slovakia

Slovakia (Slovak Republic) is a country in central Europe that formed in 1993 when Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Initially there were frosty relations with the European Union and NATO and a rejection of economic reforms. Then all three factors changed with the country joining the EU and NATO in 2004.


 * "The only thing I know about Slovakia is what I learned first-hand from your foreign minister, who came to Texas."

- Then governor George W. Bush replying to a Slovak journalist. Bush met the leader of Slovenia, not Slovakia.

Media
The BBC says of the country's media:


 * The constitution guarantees freedom of expression and the press. Draft legislation raised concerns in early 2008. The opposition said the proposals - under which outlets that condoned "socially harmful" behaviour could face fines - threatened press freedom.


 * TV channels from neighbouring countries, in particular the Czech Republic and Hungary, have a sizeable audience.

Facts

 * Population: 5,382,000
 * Capital city: Bratislava
 * GDP per Capita: U.S. $12,400

Leaders

 * Ivan Gasparovic, President since 2004, appoints the prime minister
 * Robert Fico, Prime minister, of the left-wing Smer Party which won nearly 30% of the votes, approved the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, former human rights lawyer

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Katarina Mathernova
 * Wendy W. Luers
 * Carl Spielvogel - former US Ambassador

External articles

 * Oana Lungescu, "Slovaks expelled by EU socialists", BBC, October 13, 2006.

External resources

 * Slovakia, Europa, accessed April 2008.
 * Timeline: Slovakia, BBC, accessed April 2008.