Slovakia
In 1918 the Slovaks joined the closely-related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia was admitted to Nato in March 2004 and to the EU the following May.
For the first five years after independence, there was growing international criticism of the lack of respect for minority rights and the democratic process shown by the authoritarian prime minister Vladimir Meciar. He led a string of coalition governments, pursuing nationalist and populist policies until October 1998 when an alliance of liberals, centrists, left-wingers and ethnic Hungarians ousted him, forming a new coalition with Mikulas Dzurinda as prime minister. Dzurinda, who won a second term in elections in September 2002, forged ahead with an economic reform program. During his eight years as center-right coalition prime minister, Dzurinda oversaw the overhaul of the pensions and benefits systems, cutting costs and increasing labor flexibility. His government also simplified the tax system.
Slovakia has been successful in attracting foreign investment and the government's economic reforms have won praise at talks with international organizations. Domestically, however, people are finding it hard to suffer short-term pain in the interests of long-term gain. Although unemployment has fallen from a peak of 20%, it remains high at around 15%.
Dzurinda’s government also took steps to improve the lot of Hungarian and Romany minorities, although critics say that there is little tangible sign of progress. The post-war Benes decrees, which called for the expulsion of 3 million ethnic Germans and 600,000 ethnic Hungarians from then-Czechoslovakia and the confiscation of their property, remain a sensitive issue in relations with neighbors.
The most concrete foreign policy improvement has been a warming in relations with Slovakia’s neighbors. In the case of Hungary this is due to the participation of representatives of Slovakia’s Hungarian community – which seeks greater educational and cultural autonomy -- in minority-right discussions in the framework of Slovakia's Basic Treaty with Hungary. In addition, Hungary and Slovakia have been able to defuse their long-standing dispute over the Danube Gabcikovo dam.
Similarly, relations with the Czech Republic have warmed with both sides calling for quick settlement of outstanding property claims from the time when they were both part of Czechoslovakia, and the possibility of dual citizenship. Tensions with Austria over the operation of Slovak nuclear power plants at Bohunice, close to Austria’s eastern border, eased with Slovakia's announcement that it would close two of the Bohunice reactors by 2006 and 2008.
President Ivan Gasparovic defeated former Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar in the second round of the presidential elections in April 2004 on the eve of EU entry. General elections in June 2006 left Mikulas Dzurinda's Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDCU) trailing the left-wing Smer party, led by Robert Fico, which won nearly 30% of the votes. Gasparovic asked Fico to form a government, but tough coalition bargaining lies ahead as no party has an absolute majority of seats in parliament. The process is expected to take some time.
There are currently no known direct threats to travelers or expatriate personnel in Slovakia. Crime (mainly non-violent) is the major concern for travelers.
Reports of racially motivated attacks are not uncommon; racist-related incidents involving foreigners have occurred. In addition to incidents of assault, persons of African, Asian, or Roma heritage may be subject to various types of harassment, such as verbal abuse. As for international terrorism, the threat level is low in Slovakia.
Police forces suffer from a lack of manpower, resources, and equipment. Local police are not likely to speak English, but dialing 112 on a phone during an emergency will contact English- and German-speaking operators who may be able to help. Otherwise, dial 158 for the police, 155 for ambulance, and 150 for fire.
Travelers who stay in private accommodations, rather than in a hotel, must register with the nearest "Police Station for Foreigners" within three working days after their arrival.
Taking photographs of security/military installations is prohibited. Violation of this law may result in confiscation of the film, a reprimand, a fine, or even expulsion from the country.
Carry your passport with you at all times. It is an offense to be without it and you can be fined or held in custody for up to 24 hours. Ensure your passport is in a presentable state. Travelers have been refused entry to Slovakia on the grounds that their passports were worn or damaged or looked as if they might have been tampered with.
