Section3.Slovakia

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

Click on the picture above to see a view on Bratislava
 * [[image:Trata_Mountains1.jpg caption="Tratra Mountains"]]

|| Slovakia is set right in the heart of Europe. Its actual name is The Replubic of Slovakia. Here is some basic information:The government is a republic. The capital of Slovakia is Bratislava which lies on the Danube River. The population of Slovakia is approximately 5.45 million people. 86 percent of the people are traditional Slovaks. The largest ethnic group is the Magyar. In addition, the largest religion group are the Roman Catholic. The official language is Slovak. The area of the land is 18,859 square kilometers. The average life expectancy of men is 70 and the life expectancy of women is 78. Also it is currently under the Communist rule.

The Slovaks eat many types of food. Corn, wheat, oats, and potatoes are abundant and popular. Another popular food is breaded steak. These people also enjoy eating soup and fresh-baked pastries.

Most Slovaks live in rural areas on farms. However, the economy is growing. More people own cars and almost all people have health care. The health care is financed by an independent insurance system based on employment. However, the quality of the medical services still suffers because of the underfunding and lack of resources.

Education is free for up to ten years. It starts at age 6 in primary school. Education for more than ten years is considered a very high privilege. Still the literacy rate for both males and females is 99 percent.

Slovakia has a continental climate. The winters are bitter cold in the mountain areas and moderate in the lowlands. The summers are extremely hot in the lowlands and moderate in the mountain areas. There is an average of 60.9 inches in the lowlands and twice that amount in the highland areas. Many coniferous trees lie in the north.

Slovakia has had a rough history. It was originally one of the six original countries in Yugoslavia. When that broke apart, it became part of Czechoslovakia. Then, Czechoslovakia broke apart and became the Czech Republic and Slovakia. After all these years, Slovakia finally became independant in 1991. ||


 * 2. Year of Admission to and General Information about the E.U.**
 * [[image:eu-flag.gif width="155" height="104" caption="The E.U. flag" link="@http://www.360cities.net/image/european-council-strasbourg-france"]]

Click on the flag to see the European Parliament.

 Click on the euro to see the euro tower with the euro symbol. || Slovakia entered the European Union in 2004, but it did not adopt the euro as its currency until January 1, 2009. The European Union started in 1950 with the Robert Schumann's idea of uniting European. Then, he proposed a plan to project peace, stability and prosperity. This idea resulted in the creation of a European Steel and Coal Community (ESCS) This program allowed a free trade association (only for coal and steel hence the name) that was established in 1959. In 1993, this changed and became known as the European Community (also known as the EC). This not only allowed free trade for all products, but it also allowed the countries to act as a whole and establish trade blocks. Today, it is known as the European Union because the members meet together and discuss issues they all share and how to fix them. The European Union has several parts included: European Commision-- This branch proposes policies, is responsible for administration into the E.U., and has approximately 30 members. This is a lot of members and the European Comission is planning to reduce the amount of members because this is quite a lot. Council of Ministers-- This is the main-decision making body. There is one representative from each country( there are currently 27 representatives). European Parliament-- This is the body that makes sure the orders made by the Council of Ministers is carried out. Each member stays for five years. The numberof members keeps increasing. The meeting are held at Strasburg and Brussels. Court of Justice-- The trials are located in Luxembourg. It is the only E.U.-side judicial body. Cases are in front of 13 judges. ||

**3. How does the E.U. and your country feel about global temperatures/climate change? (**//**environmental issue)**//

media type="file" key="Nicole 1.wav" width="300" height="50" Click on the link to hear our view! ||
 * [[image:http://www.coolantarctica.com/gallery/thumbnails/seals/Weddell_seal_WEB.jpg width="123" height="81" caption="Help save the seals and help lower global temperatures " link="http://www.coolantarctica.com/gallery/seals/antarctica_seals1.htm"]] || The E.U. is doing many things to help slow global temperatures.The 27 members of the E.U. are trying to use renewable energy, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and reduce greenhouse emissions by 20 percent. To accomplish these goals, the European Union has raised awareness compaigns.There has been much progress on assessing the impact of climate change and developing an adaptation policy in Europe. The members have both individually and jointly been in action against climate change now for a number of years. The most dangerous impacts of climate change can only be avoided through coordination between the members. As a fellow E.U. member state, the UK sees Slovakia as a key partner in facing the challenge of climate change. The European Union has agreed a target of twelve such demonstration sites by 2012. Only the UK and Norway has annouced specific action. There is plenty of evidence, both scientific and economic saying the countries need to take action.

|| The European Union is one of the Afghanistan's largest donors. It is trying to project peace throughout this region. It has just established a Joint Declaration with the U.S. on November 16, 2005. This declaration has reinforced engagement and commitment with the United States. The E. U. is addressing the challenges in Afghanistan by planning to donate 2.4 billion dollars for the years 2010--2012. It has created a Lisban Treaty to allow the E.U. to fully concentrate on addressing the challenges ahead. Slovakia agrees to send troops to Afghanistan. The Prime Minister agrees to double the number of troops serving with NATO( North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Currently, there are 246 people from Slovakia serving in Afghanistan. There are a total of 4,200 troops from all around Europe. They plan to send 5000 more troups. media type="file" key="Nicole 2.wav" width="300" height="50" Click on the link to hear our view! ||
 * 4.How does the E.U. your country feel about supporting the war in Afghanistan? //(political issue)// **
 * [[image:AfganistanWiki.png width="125" height="79" caption="A Map of Afghanistan"]]

media type="file" key="Nicole 3.wav" width="300" height="50" Click on the link to hear our view! ||
 * 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 have a strong economy due to the split of Czechoslovakia. It has recently changed to a free market economy which has been a very difficult change. Long--term growth remains a challenge for Slovakia because of the tough budget situation ( like the high energy prices). The European Union is giving much of its money to the weaker countries in the eastern part of Europe. Slovakia is agrees strongly with the European Union because its own economy is very unstable and weak. However, the E.U. gives more money to the far eastern countries than to Slovakia.