Section1.Slovakia

** 1.History/Background of E.U. Country **


 * || The Slovaks first settled in the fifth century. In 907 they experienced an invasion by the Magyars, also known as Hungarians, and the land was ruled by Hungary. Tensions began breaking out in 1935. Later, they broke away from Czechslovakia in March of 1939, and became independent countries known as Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Slovakia is less industrialized than the Czech Republic and also has fewer factories. During World War II, Slovakia allied with Germany. Germany deafted The Soviet Union's Red Army and created a new Czechoslovakian government. Slovakia suffered from forced persecution in 1950. Austro-Hungarian emperor, Franz Joseph, didn't give Slovakia political, linguistic, and territorial rights. International support was given when Hungarian police fired on protesting Slovaks. Lots of people from Slovakia migrated in the nineteenth and twentieeth century due to economic hard times, and many more migrated after World War II because of the environment and political problems. The Slovaks became independent in 1993.

The capital of Slovakia is Bratislava, which lies on the Danube River. 57% of 5.3 million Slovaks live in urbanized cities. Slovakia's Government controls health care and has banned private religion from their schools. Most people in Slovakia are Roman Catholic, which is the main religion. The offical language of Slovakia is Slovak; a combination of Polish and Czech. ||


 * 2. Year of Admission to E.U. History and General Information about the E.U.**
 * || Slovakia joined the European Union in May 1, 2004, and adopted the Euro in 2009. Slovakia's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is $20,076. Slovakia's population is 5.5 million people. Slovakia is under communist rule, and was seventh of twenty-five members to approve a treaty. The E.U. offered to help Slovakia after suffering high winds, and the government sent army units to clean up the mess. The life expectancy is 71 (male) and 79 (female). A Slovak foreign paper stated that the E.U. didn't think Slovakia was ready to adopt the Euro in 2009. The E.U. started with a common market economy, and is a supernational organism. The ECC was created by six countries. ||

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 * 3. How does the E.U. and your country feel about global temperatures/climate change? (//environmental issue)// **
 * || The E.U. isn't happy with Slovakia's nuclear development. Slovakia has a proposal of decreasing emissions. Slovakia is rated in the top three of the climate cooperation by the Swiss Federal Institute (ranked 188 countries for climate politics). Slovakia has renewable energy, new passenger cars, and geological storage of carbon dioxide. From 1997-2007, greenhouse gas emissions have been reducing. EC has research and has taken action to know the impacts of past emissions.

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 * 4. How does the E.U. and your country feel about supporting the war in Afghanistan? //(political issue)// **
 * || Slovakia does support providing help for the war in Afghanistan. The prime minister of Slovakia said they were doubling the original number of 246 soldiers sent to Afghanistan to about 500. some soldiers have been pressured into moving to more dangerous positions to be more of a help to Afghanistan. The European Union is one of Afghanistan's largest donors, which includes Slovakia. E.U. has made a Joint Declaration also. The prime minister of Britain said that they would commit 5000 more troops to the mission.

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 * 5. What is the economic background of your country and how does your country feel about supporting the economies of weaker countries in the E.U? //(economic issue)// **
 * || Slovakia does not support the economies of weaker countries because its economy is slowly rising and can't support other countries. They have lower taxes. Their lower taxes are what attract the foreign investments. Slovakia has a high unemployment rate. Many large firms stay in state control. Slovakia's market reformed just to compete with other European nations. The E.U. and Russia are Slovakia's biggest trade partners.