SLOVAKIA

Compiled from the August 2005 Background Note and supplemented with additional information from the State Department and the editors of this volume. See the introduction to this set for explanatory notes.

Official Name:
The Slovak Republic

PROFILE

Geography

Area:

48, 845 sq. km. (about twice the size of New Hampshire).

Land boundaries (total):

1,524 km. Austria 91 km.; Czech Republic 215 km.; Hungary 677 km.; Poland 444 km.; Ukraine 97 km.

Cities:

Capital—Bratislava.

Terrain:

Landlocked with high mountains in the north, low mountains in the center, hills to the west, Danube River basin in the south.

Climate:

Temperate; average temperature in January 26.5°F; in July 68°F. Annual precipitation 24"-40".

Elevation:

Lowest point, Bodrok River 94 m. Highest point, Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m.

People

Nationality:

Noun and adjective—Slovak(s).

Population (May 2001 census*):

5,379,455. Bratislava (428,672), Kosice (236,093), Zilina (156,361), Nitra (163,540), Presov (161,782), Banska Bystrica (111,984).

Annual population growth rate (2001 est.):

0.13%.

Ethnic groups (2001):

Slovaks 85.8%, Hungarians 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Czechs 0.8%, Ruthenians 0.4%, Ukranians 0.2%, other 1.4%. Unofficial estimates place the Roma population between 6%-10%.

Religions (2001):

Roman Catholic 69%, Protestant 9%, Greek Catholic 4%, Orthodox 0.9%, other 0.6%, unknown 3.5%, 13% report no affiliation.

Language:

Slovak (official), Hungarian, Ruthenian, Romany, and Ukrainian.

Education:

Literacy—99%.

Health:

Life expectancy (2001)—78 yrs. females; 70 yrs. males.

Work force (2.1 million in 2001):

Industry, construction, commerce—61%; financial, commercial, health services—18%; government and education—15%; agriculture—6%.

Government

Type:

Parliamentary republic.

Independence:

The Slovak Republic was established January 1, 1993 (former Czechoslovak Republic established 1918).

Constitution:

Signed September 3, 1992.

Branches:

Executive—president (head of state), prime minister (head of government), cabinet. Legislative—National Council of the Slovak Republic (150 seats). Judicial—Supreme Court, Constitutional Court.

Political parties:

150 parliamentary seats: Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKU) 23 seats; Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK) 20 seats; Christian-Democratic Movement (KDH) 15 seats; Alliance of New Citizens (ANO) 11 seats; Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) 23 seats; SMER (Direction) 27 seats; Communist Party of Slovakia (KSS) 9 seats; independent deputies 22 seats, of which 5 represent Freedom Forum (SF) and 3 represent the People's Union (LU).

Suffrage:

Universal at 18 years.

Administrative divisions:

Eight administrative regions, 79 districts.

Economy

GDP (2004):

$41.1 billion.

GDP growth rate (2004):

5.5%, (Jan - Mar 2005): 5.1%.

Nominal GDP per capita (2004):

$7,600.

Unemployment (Jun 2005):

11.09%.

Natural resources:

Antimony, mercury, iron, copper, lead, zinc, magnesite, limestone, lignite.

Agriculture:

Products—milk, eggs, poultry, cattle, hogs, potatoes, oils, grains, vegetables.

Industry:

Types—iron and steel, chemicals, automobiles, light industry, food processing, engineering, building materials.

Trade (2004):

Exports—$27.8 billion: vehicles, iron and steel, machinery and energy equipment, plastics, fiber optics. Imports (2004)—$29.2 billion: mineral fuels and oils, machinery, audio/video equipment, vehicles. Partners—Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Russia, Hungary, Italy, Poland.

Foreign investment (1989-2004.): Cumulative—$13.696 billion. Sources of direct foreign investment—Netherlands 24.3%; Germany 19.4%, Austria 14.1%; Italy 7.5%, United States (8th largest investor) 4.0%. Sectors of direct foreign investment (through end 2004)—industry 38.4%; banking and insurance 22.2%; wholesale and retail trade 13.1%; production of electricity, gas and water 10.5%; transportation and telecommunications 9.2%.

PEOPLE

The majority of the 5.4 million inhabitants of the Slovak Republic are Slovak (85.8%). Hungarians are the largest ethnic minority (9.7%) and are concentrated in the southern and eastern regions of Slovakia. Other ethnic groups include Roma, Czechs, Ruthenians, Ukrainians, Germans, and Poles. The Slovak constitution guarantees freedom of religion. The majority of Slovak citizens (69%) practice Roman Catholicism; the second-largest group is Protestants (9%). About 2,300 Jews remain of the estimated pre-WWII population of 120,000. The official state language is Slovak, and Hungarian is widely spoken in the southern region.

Despite its modern European economy and society, Slovakia has a significant rural element. About 45% of Slovaks live in villages of less than 5,000 people, and 14% in villages of less than 1,000.

HISTORY

Slovak history can find its roots in the Great Moravian Empire, founded in the early ninth century. The territory of Great Moravia included all of present western and central Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and parts of neighboring Poland, Hungary, and Germany. Saint Cyril and Methodius, known for the creation of a Cyrillic alphabet, came to Great Moravia in the early tenth century as missionaries to spread Christianity upon the invitation of the king. The empire collapsed after only eighty years as a result of the political intrigues and external pressures from invading forces. Slovaks then became part of the Hungarian Kingdom, where they remained for the next 1,000 years. Bratislava became the Hungarian capital for nearly two and a half centuries when the Turks overran Hungary in the early 16th century.

Revolutions inspired by nationalism swept through Central Europe in 1848, which led to the codification of the Slovak language by Ludovit Stur in 1846 and later the formation of the dual Austro-Hungarian monarchy in 1867. As language and education policies favoring the use of Hungarian, which came to be known as Magyarization, grew stricter, Slovak nationalism grew stronger. Slovak intellectuals cultivated closer cultural ties with the Czechs, who were themselves ruled by the Austrians. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian State after WWI, the concept of a single Czecho-Slovakian unified state came to fruition. Tomas Masaryk signed the Pittsburgh Agreement, declaring the intent of the Czech and Slovaks to found a new state in May 1918, and a year later, he become Czechoslovakia's first president.

After the 1938 Munich agreement that forced Czechoslovakia to cede territory to Germany, Slovakia declared its autonomy. Slovakia became a Nazi puppet state led by the Catholic priest Jozef Tiso. During this period, thousands of Slovak Jews and Roma were sent to concentration camps to perish in the Holocaust. The Slovak National Uprising, a resistance movement against the fascist Slovak state, occurred in 1944 with the participation of Slovaks, Russians, Jews, and some allied forces but was put down by Nazi forces.

At the conclusion of WWII, the reunified Czechoslovakia was considered within the sphere of influence of the Soviet Union. The communist party, supported by the U.S.S.R., took over political power in February 1948 and began to centralize power. The next four decades were characterized by strict communist rule, interrupted only briefly during the Prague Spring of 1968. The Slovak born Communist leader Alexander Dubcek presided over a thawing of communist power and proposed political, social, and economic reforms in his effort to make "socialism with a human face" a reality. Concern among other Warsaw Pact governments that Dubcek had gone to far prompted an invasion and Dubcek's removal from his position.

The 1970s were characterized by the development of a dissident movement. On January 1, 1997 more that 250 human rights activists signed a manifesto called Charter 77, which criticized the government for failing to meet its human rights obligations. On November 17th, 1989, a series of public protests, known as the "Velvet Revolution," began and led to the downfall of communist rule in Czechoslovakia. Dissident groups, such as Charter 77 in the Czech Republic and Public Against Violence in Slovakia, united to form a transitional government and assist with the first democratic elections since 1948. Several new parties emerged to fill the political spectrum.

After the 1992 elections, Vladimir Meciar's Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS), based on its appeal on fairness to Slovak demands for autonomy, emerged as the leading party in Slovakia. In June 1992, the Slovak parliament voted to declare sovereignty and the federation dissolved peacefully on January 1, 1993. Meciar's party—the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS)—ruled Slovakia the first 5 years as an independent state. His authoritarian style as Prime Minister created international concerns about the democratic development of Slovakia. In the 1998 elections, Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) received about 27% of the vote, but went into the opposition, unable to find coalition partners.

A reform-oriented coalition formed a government led by Mikulas Dzurinda, the chairman of the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union

(SDKU). The first Dzurinda government made political and economic reforms that enabled Slovakia to enter the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), close virtually all chapters in European Union (EU) negotiations, and make the country a strong candidate for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) accession. However, the popularity of the governing parties declined sharply, and several new parties gained relatively high levels of support in public opinion polls.

In the September 2002 parliamentary election, a last minute surge in support for the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKU) gave Dzurinda a mandate for a second term. He formed a government with three other center-right parties: the Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK), Christian Democrats (KDH), and Alliance of New Citizens (ANO).

The main priorities of the coalition are ensuring a strong Slovak performance within NATO and the EU, fighting corruption, attracting foreign investment, and reforming social services, such as the health care system. Following a summer 2003 parliamentary shake-up, the government lost its narrow parliamentary majority and now controls only 69 of the 150 seats; however, the coalition is relatively stable because of the parties' similar political philosophies and conflicts between opposition parties.

Slovakia officially became a member of NATO on March 29, 2004 and joined the EU on May 1, 2004. The government strongly supported Slovakia's NATO and EU accession and will continue the democratic and free market-oriented reforms begun by the first Dzurinda government.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS

Slovakia's highest legislative body is the 150-seat unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic. Delegates are elected for 4-year terms on the basis of proportional representation. The Slovak political scene supports a wide spectrum of political parties, including several social democratic parties and the nationalistic Slovak National Party (SNS) that is not represented in parliament, but the influence of leftist and nationalist parties has declined in the past several years.

In January 1999, Parliament passed a constitutional amendment allowing for direct election of the president. Kosice Mayor Rudolf Schuster was elected president in a May 1999 runoff with former Prime Minister Meciar and took office on June 15, 1999. On April 17, 2004, Ivan Gasparovic, a former Meciar deputy, was elected president; he was inaugurated on June 15, 2004. Virtually all executive powers of government belong to the prime minister, but the president does serve as commanderin-chief of the armed forces, can grant pardons, and has the right to return legislation to Parliament. Parliament, however, can override this veto with a simple majority of the 150 members of Parliament.

The country's highest appellate forum is the Supreme Court; below that are regional, district, and military courts. In certain cases the law provides for decisions of tribunals of judges to be attended by lay judges from the citizenry. Slovakia also has a special Constitutional Court, which rules on constitutional issues. The 13 members of this court are appointed by the president from a slate of candidates nominated by Parliament.

In 2002, Parliament passed legislation that created a Judicial Council. This 18-member council, composed of judges, law professors, and other legal experts, is now responsible for the nomination of judges. All judges, except those of the Constitutional Court, are appointed by the president from a list proposed by the Judicial Council. The Council also is responsible for appointing Disciplinary Senates in cases of judicial misconduct.

Principal Government Officials

Last Updated: 10/18/2005

President: Ivan GASPAROVIC
Prime Minister: Mikulas DZURINDA
Dep. Prime Min.: Pal CSAKY
Dep. Prime Min.: Ivan MIKLOS
Min. of Agriculture: Zsolt SIMON
Min. of Construction & Regional Development: Laszlo GYUROVSKY
Min. of Culture: Frantisek TOTH
Min. of Defense: Juraj LISKA
Min. of Economy: Jirko MALCHAREK
Min. of Education: Martin FRONC
Min. of Environment: Laszlo MIKLOS
Min. of Finance: Ivan MIKLOS
Min. of Foreign Affairs: Eduard KUKAN
Min. of Health: Rudolf ZAJAC
Min. of Interior: Vladimir PALKO
Min. of Justice: Daniel LIPSIC
Min. of Labor, Social Affairs, & the Family: Iveta RADICOVA
Min. of Transportation: Pavol PROKOPOVIC
Governor, Central Bank of Slovakia: Ivan SRAMKO
Ambassador to the US: Rastislav KACER
Permanent Representative to the UN, New York: Peter BURIAN

The Slovak Republic has an embassy in the United States, located at 3523 International Court, NW, Washington, DC, 20008.

Slovakia maintains a permanent mission to the United Nations in New York and 11 honorary consulates in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Denver, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Miami, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco. Slovakia opened consulates general in New York in September 2003 and in Los Angeles in April 2005.

ECONOMY

Since the establishment of the Slovak Republic in January 1993, Slovakia has continued the difficult transformation from a centrally planned to a modern market-oriented economy. This reform slowed in the 1994-98 period due to the crony capitalism and irresponsible fiscal policies of Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar's government. While economic growth and other fundamentals improved steadily during Meciar's term, public and private debt and trade deficits soared, and privatization, often tarnished by corrupt insider deals, progressed only in fits and starts. Real annual GDP growth peaked at 6.5% in 1995 but declined to 1.3% in 1999. Much of the growth in the Meciar era, however, was attributable to high government spending and over-borrowing rather than productive economic activity.

The economy grew 5.5% in 2004, the strongest growth in Central Europe for the fourth consecutive year, and is predicted to expand by more than 5% annually in 2005-2007. Headline consumer price inflation dropped from 26% in 1993 to an average rate of 7.5% in 2004, though this was boosted by hikes in subsidized utilities prices ahead of Slovakia's accession to the European Union. In July 2005, the inflation rate dropped to 2.0% and is projected at less than 3% in 2005 and 2.5% in 2006.

The current account deficit, a longstanding problem, shrank to $1.4 billion, or 3.4 percent of GDP in 2004, from its recent peak at $1.9 billion, or 8.8 percent of GDP in 2001. A drop in the trade deficit accounted for most of the improvement. In 2004, Slovakia's trade deficit amounted to 3.4% of GDP, up from 1.9% of GDP in 2003, but much less than the gap of 10.3% in 2001. The foreign trade balance is now largely influenced by strong growth in capital good imports related to foreign investments in the country. This trend will likely begin to reverse in 2006 when those investments begin production and selling abroad. Slovakia's total foreign debt was $23.7 billion at the end of 2004, up $5.4 billion from the 2003. The increase in the level of debt was caused largely by exchange rate losses of the dollar.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Slovakia has increased dramatically. Cheap and skilled labor force, low taxes, a 19% flat tax for corporations and individuals, no dividend taxes, liberal labor code and a favorable geographical location are Slovakia's main advantages for foreign investors. FDI has grown by 600% since 2000 to around $13.6 billion or $2,540 per capita by the end of 2004.

Germany is Slovakia's largest trading partner, purchasing 28.7% of Slovakia's exports and supplying 23.8% of its imports in 2004. Other major partners include the Czech Republic (13.2% imports and 13.3% exports), Italy (5.6% and 6.4%), Russia (9.4% and 1.2%), and Austria (4.3% and 7.8%). Slovakia imports nearly all of its oil and gas from Russia and its export markets are primarily OECD and EU countries. More than 75% of its trade is with EU members (73% imports and 85% exports). Slovakia's exports to the United States made up 4.8% of its overall exports in 2004, while imports from the U.S. account for 1.6% of its total purchases abroad.

NATIONAL SECURITY

The armed forces of the Slovak Republic number about 28,000 uniformed personnel and are made up of Land Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces and a joint Training and Support Forces Command. Land forces consist of two mechanized infantry brigades, one with two mech battalions (BMP-1) and a tank company (T-72) and the other with two mech battalions (BMP-2) and a mechanized Immediate Reaction Battalion. Each maneuver brigade is or is planned to be task organized with combat support units, such as an artillery battalion, an engineer battalion, a logistics support battalion, and an air defense battery. Other land forces include a separate NBC battalion, engineer battalion, ISTAR company, signal battalion and command support battalion. Air and Air Defense Forces are comprised of a fighter wing of MiG-29s, a wing of Mi-24 attack and Mi-17 utility helicopters, and a SAM brigade. Military police and a special operations regiment are under the command of the General Staff. The armed forces are among the most respected national institutions according to national opinion polls.

Slovakia's ambitious roadmap for defense reform is the Force 2015 Long-Term Plan, which strikes a well-reasoned balance between requirements and resources and envisions a professionalized, combat-capable force of 18,000 uniformed personnel. Slovakia has about 580 personnel deployed to coalition and NATO-led operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo, as well as UN-led peace support operations (PSOs) worldwide. Defense spending was 1.87% of GDP in 2004 and is expected to rise slightly to about 1.9% over the next two years.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Slovakia officially became a member of the NATO on March 29, 2004 and joined the EU in May 2004. Slovakia has been an active participant in U.S.- and NATO-led military actions and a stalwart partner in the war on terrorism, with military engineering brigades on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan. Slovakia participates in a joint Czech-Slovak peacekeeping force in Kosovo.

Slovakia is a member of the United Nations and participates in its specialized agencies. It is a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the OECD. It also is part of the Visegrad Four (Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Poland), a forum for discussing areas of common concern. Upon the division of Czechoslovakia in 1993, Slovakia and the Czech Republic entered into a Customs Union, which facilitates a relatively free flow of goods and services. Slovakia maintains diplomatic relations with 134 countries. There are 35 embassies and 26 honorary consulates in Bratislava.

U.S.-SLOVAKIA RELATIONS

The fall of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia in 1989 and the subsequent split of the two republics on January 1, 1993, allowed for renewed cooperation between the United States and Slovakia. The election of a pro-Western, reformist government in late 1998 further boosted close ties between the countries. The United States delivered more than $200 million after 1990 to support the rebuilding of a healthy democracy and market economy in Slovakia, primarily through programs administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Slovakia and the United States retain strong diplomatic ties and cooperate in the military and law enforcement areas. The U.S. Department of Defense programs have contributed significantly to Slovak military reforms.

Millions of Americans have their roots in Slovakia, and many retain strong cultural and familial ties to the Slovak Republic. President Woodrow Wilson and the United States played a major role in the establishment of the original Czechoslovak state on October 28, 1918, and President Wilson's Fourteen Points were the basis for the union of the Czechs and Slovaks. Tomas Masaryk, the father of the Czechoslovak state and its first president, visited the United States during World War I and used the U.S. Constitution as a model for the first Czechoslovak Constitution.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials

BRATISLAVA (E) Address: 4 Hviezdoslavovo Namestie; APO/FPO: Unit 5840 Box xxxx, APO AE 09736-xxxx; Phone: +421-2-5443-3338; Fax: +421-2-5441-5148; INMARSAT Tel: Unclass 683-142-116; Stu III, 683-142-117; Workweek: M-F, 8:00-16:30.

TRAVEL

Consular Information Sheet

November 9, 2005

Country Description:

The Slovak Republic is a rapidly developing European nation. Tourist facilities are not as developed as those found in Western Europe, particularly outside the major cities, and some goods and services taken for granted in other European countries are occasionally unavailable.

Entry/Exit Requirements:

A passport is required. A visa is not required for stays for tourism or business up to 90 days within six months of the date of first entry into the Slovak Republic. For stays longer than 90 days, or for purposes other than business or tourism, a visa must be obtained prior to entering the country at Slovak embassies or consulates abroad. Visas cannot be obtained at the border upon arrival. All foreigners seeking entry into the Slovak Republic must carry proof of a medical insurance policy contracted for payment of all costs for hospitalization and medical treatment in the Slovak Republic. Border police have the right to request evidence of finances sufficient to pay for the proposed stay in the Slovak Republic in the amount of $50 per person per day. Visit the Embassy of the Slovak Republic web site at http://www.slovakembassy-us.org for the most current visa information.

Safety and Security:

Taking photographs of security/military installations (for example, military bases, government buildings, nuclear power plants, etc.) is prohibited. Violation of this law may result in confiscation of the film, a reprimand or fine, or even expulsion from the country. Serious cases may be reported to and handled by local and/or military police.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, can be found. Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Crime:

The Slovak Republic has a high rate of crime. Police forces suffer from a lack of manpower, resources and equipment. Local police are not likely to speak English. Western visitors, especially short-term visitors such as tourists and students, are the primary foreign targets of street crime. The majority of street crime is non-violent and ranges from pickpocketing (particularly in the summer) and purse and cellular telephone snatchings to muggings, armed robbery, shooting, drugging and robbing of unsuspecting victims at nightspots and bars. Most reported thefts occur at crowded tourist sites (such as the Old Town area) or on public buses or trains. Thieves in the Slovak Republic often work in groups or pairs. In most cases, one thief distracts the victim, another performs the robbery, and then hands off the stolen item to a near-by accomplice. Groups of street children are known to divert tourists' attention so that a member of their group can pickpocket the tourists while they are distracted. Do not leave personal items in unattended vehicles, even if locked.

Reports of racially motivated incidents against foreigners and persons of color, perpetrated by groups with a history of targeting persons of Roma, African or Asian descent, have occurred in the Slovak Republic. In addition to incidents of assault, persons of Roma, African or Asian heritage may be subject to various types of harassment, such as verbal abuse.

Both indigenous and foreign organized crime groups are well-established in the Slovak Republic. They do not target U.S. or other foreign individuals and tend to co-exist peacefully in the tourist district so as not to scare away tourist dollars. Though not common, violent incidents sometimes do occur outside of the Old Town in the greater Bratislava area.

Information for Victims of Crime:

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

Slovakia has a compensation program for certain injuries and damages that result from a crime. Eligible claimants include victims of crime who suffer serious injuries and/or health damage, victims of rape, and next of kin of homicide victims. Contact information for the compensation program is:

Ministry of Justice
Section of Rehabilitation and Compensation
Zupne namestie 13
813 11 Bratislava
Slovak Republic
Tel: 421 2 5935 3111
Fax: 421 2 6428 4260
Website: http://www.justice.gov.sk

Medical Facilities and Health Information:

Medical facilities are available in the Slovak Republic. However, a limited number of doctors speak English. Doctors and hospitals expect cash payment for health services unless the patient can present an insurance number from the Slovak National Insurance Company. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost tens of thousands of dollars or more.

Medical prescriptions issued in the U.S. are not valid in the Slovak Republic. If needed, a local doctor must issue a prescription. Medicines are generally available locally, if not under the American name the doctor can be consulted for a substitute. The Ministry of Health of Slovak Republic administers the use of medicines and medicine brought to the Slovak Republic for personal use may become subject to comparison against the list of those authorized for use in the Slovak Republic.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

Medical Insurance:

The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions:

While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning the Slovak Republic is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Roads in the Slovak Republic typically are safe and well maintained. Four-lane highways exist in and around Bratislava. However, most roads outside of built-up areas are two lanes only, and aggressive drivers attempting to pass at unsafe speeds pose a serious hazard. Due to poor lighting and narrow, winding roads, nighttime driving outside of built-up areas is not recommended.

From November through March there is often heavy snowfall, which is not adequately cleared from many rural roads. Roads in the mountainous northern part of the country are particularly prone to hazardous conditions during winter months. Winter tires and chains are recommended for travel to mountain and ski resorts. In the Slovak Republic, vehicles travel on the right side of the road. The maximum legal speed on highways is 130 kilometers per hour (78 mph). On smaller roads the maximum speed is 90 kph (54 mph). The limit in towns is 60 kph (36 mph). Use of cellular phones while driving is strictly prohibited.

Drivers must yield the right of way to all vehicles with flashing blue lights (police, ambulances, fire trucks, motorcades). Vehicles with yellow or orange lights usually mean that traffic must slow down. Drivers must always be cautious, however, as many slowly moving vehicles, such as agricultural vehicles, are not well marked.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly prohibited. The blood alcohol tolerance level is zero percent. Penalties for drivers involved in car accidents involving injury or death are decided by a court of law. Penalties for minor offenses are not generally large, but foreigners are sometimes targeted for additional sums. Anyone suspecting this has occurred should ask for a written receipt and note the name and number of the traffic officer imposing the fine.

Gasoline is readily available, although many gas stations are closed on Sunday, especially in rural areas. Gas stations typically do not offer repair service; private mechanics must be found. Most gas stations accept credit cards, but mechanics less frequently accept them, so travelers should expect to pay for these services in cash.

A highway user decal must be purchased for travel on most major roads outside of Bratislava. The decal is valid for the calendar year in which it is purchased, and is available at gas stations, post offices and some newspaper kiosks. The cost is 1100 Sk (Slovak crowns) for all vehicles up to 3.5 tons. A short-term decal valid for 30 days may be purchased for 300 Sk and for 7 days for 150 Sk.

Taxi companies provide generally reliable, safe, and economical services. Avoid independent cabs that do not prominently display a company name. Visitors should be alert to the potential for substantial overcharging by taxis, particularly in areas frequented by tourists. Radio-dispatched taxis are often much more reliable.

Buses, trolleys, and trams are mechanically safe, but there have been reports of thefts on city transportation and of harassment by the transport police. On public transportation it is obligatory to have a time-ticket validated after entering the vehicle (valid for 10, 30, 60 minutes), or a prepaid zone ticket (24-, 48-, 72-, 168-hour, 1-, 3-month and 1-year). Children from 6 to 15 years of age pay reduced fares. Passengers who are traveling without a valid ticket will be fined by the ticket inspector. The ticket inspector has to have an identification card and must provide a ticket for the fine. More information is provided in English at www.imhd.sk.

Inter-city travel is widely available by bus, train, or taxi and is generally safe (inquire about taxi fares in advance). There are regular international trains and buses, which are mechanically safe. However, there is a danger of theft, even from locked compartments, particularly on international night trains serving Warsaw, Prague, and Budapest. Taxi drivers with special permits may provide international taxi service.

A motorcycle driver's license and helmet are required. Small motorcycles are not allowed on highways. All traffic regulations apply.

Tourists coming to the Slovak Republic are required to have an International Drivers' Permit. A U.S. driver's license alone is not sufficient to drive in Slovakia. The U.S. driver's license must be accompanied by an International Driver's Permit, obtainable in the United States from the American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance.

A Slovak Driver's License can be applied for at the Dopravny Inspektorat in the district of the applicant's place of residence in the Slovak Republic. Completion of the regular driving course and a written examination (in Slovak) are required for issuance of a Slovak driver's license.

For specific information concerning Slovak driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Slovak Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Visit the website of the country's national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety at http://zjazdnost.ssc.sk.

Aviation Safety Oversight:

As there is no direct commercial air service between the United States and the Slovak Republic, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the Slovak Republic's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with ICAO international aviation safety standards.

Special Circumstances:

Slovak customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from the Slovak Republic of items such as firearms, antiquities, medications, etc. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Washington, D.C., or one of the Slovak consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Criminal Penalties:

While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Slovak laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Slovak Republic are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in illicit sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.

Children's Issues:

For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children's Issues website at http://www.travel.state.gov/family/family_1732.html.

Registration/Embassy Location:

Americans living or traveling in the Slovak Republic are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within the Slovak Republic. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at Hviezdoslavovo nam. 4, Bratislava; telephone (421)(2) 5443 0861; (421)(2) 5443 3338, fax (421)(2) 5441 8861; mailing address: U.S. Embassy, P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislava, Slovak Republic; e-mail: [email protected]; web site: http://www.usembassy.sk.

International Adoption

January 2006

The information below has been edited from a report of the State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Overseas Citizens Services. For more information, please read the International Adoption section of this book and review current reports online at www.ravel.state.gov/family.

Disclaimer:

The information in this flyer relating to the legal requirements of specific foreign countries is based on public sources and our current understanding. Questions involving foreign and U.S. immigration laws and legal interpretation should be addressed respectively to qualified foreign or U.S. legal counsel.

Please Note:

Slovakia ratified the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption in October 2001. The Government of Slovakia will approve international adoptions only when the prospective adopting parent(s) reside in countries that have ratified this Convention. Prospective parents who are legal residents of Slovakia may adopt orphans under Slovak law.

The United States has signed but not yet ratified the Adoption Convention. The State Department is preparing the implementing regulations so that the United States can become a full party to the Convention. Please visit the flyer on U.S. efforts to implement the Adoption Convention at http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption_hague.html.

Patterns of Immigration of Adopted Orphans to the U.S.:

Recent U.S. immigrant visa statistics reflect the following pattern for visa issuance to orphans

Fiscal Year: Number of Immigrant Visas Issued
FY 2003: 2
FY 2002: 19
FY 2001: 24
FY 2000: 15
FY 1999: 3

Adoption Authority in Slovakia:

The Slovakian government office that is responsible for international adoptions is: Centrum pre medzinárodnoprávnu ochranu detí a mládeze

(Center for the international legal protection of children and youth); Špitálska 6; P.O. Box 57; 814 99 Bratislava, Slovakia; Tel: 011 421 2 5975 2315; Fax: 011 421 2 5296 2895; http://www.cipc.sk (information in Slovak and English).

The Center primarily communicates with the partnership centers in other member countries of the Hague Convention. It will respond to private calls only if the caller is a long-term resident of Slovakia.

Eligibility Requirements for Adoptive Parents:

Slovak law sets no age limits for adoptive parents; the law merely recommends that the age difference between child and adoptive parents be "adequate". Embassy officials have been told that the age difference should be at least 15 years, and at the most, 40 years. Couples and single persons may apply for adoption.

Residential Requirements:

Prospective adoptive parents must be resident in Slovakia to adopt.

Time Frame:

Prospective adoptive parents are required to reside with their adoptive child for 6 months to a year before an adoption is finalized. An adoption may take up to two years to complete.

Adoption Agencies and Attorneys:

There are no government-approved adoption agencies; individual cases are handled directly between the Center and the court that pronounces the adoption. A local attorney may be of assistance. A list of English speaking attorneys is available at http://www.sak.sk (Slovak Bar Association).

Adoption Fees in Slovakia:

Court fees:

If the case is processed under the Hague Convention, there are no fees. If the case is pursued by prospective parents who are residents of Slovakia, the maximum fee is 5000 Slovak crowns (SK).

Administrative fees for translation of documents and authentication of documents:

Translation of documents such as the birth certificates of the prospective parents, marriage certificate, and divorce decrees (if applicable) is about 300 SK per page. These documents must be authenticated in the U.S. for use in Slovakia; fees vary by state.

Issuance of Birth Certificate and authentication:

600 SK.

Issuance of passport to minor under 15 years of age:

250 SK; expedited issuance within 24 hours is 1000 SK.

If an attorney is hired, the fees for provided services are paid to the attorney directly and should be negotiated directly with the attorney.

Adoption Procedures:

Slovak orphanages for children up to age 3 are administered by the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic; orphanages for children of ages 3-18 by the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic.

Foreign adoptive parents must, during the whole adoption procedure, have the status of long-term or permanent residents of Slovakia and be physically present in the country.

Slovak family law requires that the child reside from six months to one year with prospective adoptive parents before a court may issue a final adoption decree. During this period the family will be observed by social workers representing the child. Foreign adoptive parents are also required to present a good-conduct statement from their home country, proof of their financial situation and evidence of their own good health. They will also be required to pass psychological tests. Parents must submit these documents before a child is placed in their home. After the fostering period is over, the parents can petition the court to issue the final adoption decree.

Documents Required for Adoption in Slovakia:

Applications for adoption must be supported by the following basic documents:

• a home study from an accredited social agency
• a good conduct statement (police report from the home country of the adoptive parent)
• proof of financial situation
• good health condition report
• psychological test (can be passed locally as well)

Authenticating U.S. Documents to be Used Abroad:

All U.S. documents submitted to the Slovakian government/court must be authenticated. Visit the State Department website at travel.state.gov for additional information about authentication procedures.

Slovakia Embassy and Consulates in the United States:

3523 International Court N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: 202-237-1054
Fax: 202-237-6438
Email: [email protected]
http://www.slovakembassy-us.org/

Consulate General of the Slovak Republic
801 Second Avenue, 12 th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Tel: 212-286-8434
Fax: 212-286-8439
Email: [email protected]

U.S. Immigration Requirements:

Please see the International Adoption section of this book for more details and review current reports online at travel.state.gov/family.

Additional Information:

Specific questions about adoption in Slovakia may be addressed to the U.S. Embassy in Slovakia. General questions regarding international adoption may be addressed to the Office of Children's Issues, U.S. Department of State, CA/OCS/CI, SA-29, 4 th Floor, 2201 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20520-4818, toll-free
Tel: 1-888-404-4747.