In 2004 Slovakia joined the European Union as a Member State. It is a member of&nbsp;the Schengen area&nbsp;since 21 December 2007.&nbsp;It is a member of the&nbsp;Eurozone, when the Euro was introduced to replace the Slovak Crown as the national currency.

There are more than 5.4 million people in Slovakia. The country has 14 Members of European Parliament (MEPs). Slovakia has presided the EU between July and December 2016. Slovakia is a parliamentary democratic republic with a head of government - the Prime Minister - who holds the most executive power and a head of state - the President - who is the formal head of the executive, but with&nbsp;limited powers. The country is subdivided into 8 regions, each named after its principal city.&nbsp;

The country was in the centre of attention nad underwent huge political turbulences in&nbsp;2018 when the investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée were murdered.&nbsp;

EU - Slovakia

Slovakia is a country in eastern central Europe and is bordered by Czechia and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south. 

Slovakia is a member of the EU since 2004, Member of the Eurozone since 1 January 2009 and a Schengen area Member since 21 December 2007. There are 13 Members of the European Parliament from Slovakia.

EU - Slovakia (2019-2020)

Peter PELLEGRINI, Slovak Prime Minister, is the eighteenth EU leader to debate the future of Europe with MEPs, in plenary session in Strasbourg.

The Europeans want the EU to change. This is why the European Parliament is taking the leadership over a reform of the EU.

Parliament set out its vision for the future of Europe in three resolutions voted in plenary session on 16 February 2017. MEPs suggested, among other things: turning the Council of Ministers into a genuine second legislative chamber, and its configurations into preparatory bodies similar to Parliament’s committees, appointing an EU finance minister and giving the EU Commission the power to formulate and give effect to a common EU economic policy, backed up by a euro-area budget, and creating a fiscal capacity consisting of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and specific additional budgetary capacity for the euro area, funded by its members as a part of the EU budget.

Debate on the Future of Europe with Peter PELLEGRINI, Slovak Prime Minister

This storybook is about a little girl, Anna, who is starting school in a new country and learning the local language through immersion. The audiobook and e-book versions are available in the 24 EU official languages. While the target audience is 3-6 year olds, this storybook could also be useful for older children learning to read, whether in their first EU language or in another one.

<a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/anna-learns-new-language-all-versions_15508_pk">See the other language versions</a>

Anna learns a new language (Slovak version)

Parliament quizes the Council and the Commission about how they intend to address the controversial reform proposals made by Robert Fico’s government. 

MEPs are expected to reiterate concerns about the Slovak government’s plans for criminal code reform and changes in the functioning of the country’s public-service media. MEPs say the ongoing reform, which led to the dissolution of Slovakia’s Special Prosecutor’s Office on 20 March and reduces penalties and limitation periods for financial crimes, threatens Slovakia’s ability to fight corruption and protect the EU budget. They are also likely to stress that the plans for the public broadcaster will have to be assessed in light of the EU’s recently-adopted Media Freedom Act. The proposed Act on Slovak Television and Radio is facing widespread criticism for giving the government direct control over public media, and curtailing their independence.

Plenary debate - Rule of Law in Slovakia

EP  President Metsola meets the President of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová

The impact of the announced reform of the criminal code on Slovakia’s efforts to fight corruption is debated with Commission and Council. On 6 December, the new Slovak government tabled a draft law to overhaul the country’s penal code. If approved by its parliament, the special prosecutor’s office dealing with the most serious crimes and corruption would be dismantled. The government also intends to soften penalties for corruption offences. Several investigators and police officers looking into corruption charges have already faced repercussions from the new government, such as being dismissed, suspended or sidelined from these investigations. Prime Minister Robert Fico wants the draft law to be adopted under the urgency procedure. Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová has already said she would veto the law. Critics have warned that dismantling the special prosecutor’s office could have an impact on the ongoing investigation into the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová in 2018.

Debate - Planned dissolution of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Attempts to dismantle Rule of Law and media freedom in Slovakia - Council and Commission statements

Debate with Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Ingrida ŠIMONYTĖ, Lithuanian Prime Minister, Eduard HEGER, Former Slovak Prime Minister and Kevin BARON, Executive Director "Defense One" at Globsec Security Conference - "Pesky populists: Who is winning the battle of ideas?"

Press conference LIBE - Protecting fundamental rights of LGBTIQ+ persons in Slovakia

Press statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and by Zuzana ČAPUTOVÁ, President of the Slovak Republic

Press conference by Monika HOHLMEIER, Chair of the Committee on Budgetary Control, and Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, on “Illegal payment of agro-subsidies in Slovakia”

Press Point by A.Tajani, President of the European Parliament, and P. Pellegrini,  Prime Minister of Slovakia

Debate with the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Peter Pellegrini, on the Future of Europe

Protection of investigative journalists in Europe: the case of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová

Antonio TAJANI - EP President - and Andrej KISKA - President of Slovak Republic

UNKN

C.A. SIEKIERSKI - Chair of AGRI Committee - with Ministers for Agriculture, G. MATEČNÁ (Slovakia), M. JUREČKA (Czech Republic) and D. ŽIDAN (Slovenia)

Review of the Slovak Council Presidency (debate)

Bernd LANGE - Chair of INTA Committee - Iuliu WINKLER - INTA rapporteur - and Cecilia MALMSTRÖM - EU Commissioner for Trade and Ivan LANČARIČ, Ministry of Economy from Slovak Republic

Danuta HÜBNER - President of AFCO Committee - with Ivan KORČOK - State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic

Czesław Adam SIEKIERSKI – Chair of AGRI Committee – and Gabriela MATEČNÁ – Slovak Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development

Elmar BROK – Chair of AFET Committee – and Miroslac LAJČÁK – Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs

Michael CRAMER – Chair of TRAN Committee – and Roman BRECELY - Slovak Minister for Transport, Construction and Regional Development

Martin SCHULZ - EP President - and Robert FICO - Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic

Programme of activities of the Slovak Presidency (debate)

Press point: Martin SCHULZ - President of European Parliament - Andrej Kiska - President of Slovakia

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Zuzana CAPUTOVA, President of Slovakia

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Peter PELLEGRINI, Speaker of Slovakia

Torch Handover with Slovak runners

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Bratislava (Slovakia) - Meeting with Ľudovít ÓDOR, Slovakian Interim Prime Minister

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Bratislava (Slovakia) - Solemn ceremony at the Ján Kuciak & Martina Kušnírová Memorial

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Bratislava (Slovakia) - Participation to the Globsec Security Conference

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Bratislava (Slovakia) - Meeting with Zuzana ČAPUTOVÁ, President of Slovakia

Michal SIMECKA meets with  Zuzana CAPUTOVA, President of the Slovak Republic

EP Plenary session - Formal sitting - Address by Zuzana Caputová, President of the Slovak Republic

Press Point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and  Zuzana CAPUTOVA, President of the Slovak Republic

Roberta METSOLA, EP President welcomes  Zuzana CAPUTOVA, President of the Slovak Republic

Othmar KARAS welcomes  Zuzana CAPUTOVA, President of the Slovak Republic

EP Plenary session - Growing hate crimes against LGBTIQ people across Europe in light of the recent homophobic murder in Slovakia

REGI mission to Kosice, Slovakia...

REGI mission to Kosice, Slovakia

Michal SIMECKA meets with Eduard HEGER, Slovak Prime Minister

On 8 and 9 May, landmark buildings across the EU will be illuminated to mark Europe Day and “one month to go” to the last day before voting. This new item shows illuminations of the Grassalkovich Palace (Presidential Palace) and of the National Bank building in Bratislava (Slovakia).

Europe day - European Elections 2024 - "One month to go": Illuminations in Bratislava (Slovakia)

Veronika is a communicative and active young student of bilingual gymnasium from Slovakia. She was born on the 1st of May 2004, which is the same day the country she is from joined the European Union. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. This news item shows young Veronika studying in Slovakia, spending time with her friends and sharing her testimony on the feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivering.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Slovakia

&lt;p>Demokracia sa nám v súčasnej Európskej únii môže zdať samozrejmou. Ale nebolo tomu vždy tak. Ešte nedávno žili milióny Európanov v časoch, keď nemohli slobodne ani voliť, ani vyjadriť svoj názor. Keď ich životy boli ohrozené len z jednoduchého dôvodu, že boli odlišní, zastávali iný názor alebo túžili po inom spôsobe života. Demokracia je vzácny dar, ktorý nám odovzdali predošlé generácie. Túžili po nej a bojovali za ňu. Teraz je na nás, aby sme si ju udržali, posilnili ju a postúpili budúcim generáciám. Najlepším spôsobom, ako to dosiahnuť, je hlasovať. Čím viac ľudí hlasuje, tým je demokracia silnejšia. 6.&nbsp;–&nbsp;9. júna 2024: Využi svoj hlas. Nenechaj za seba rozhodnúť iných.&lt;/p>&lt;p>© ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.&lt;/p>&lt;p> &lt;/p>

Využi svoj hlas – European elections 2024 video – Slovak (International Sign) 16:9

Využi svoj hlas – European elections 2024 video – Slovak (audiodescription) 4:5

&lt;p>Demokracia sa nám v súčasnej Európskej únii môže zdať samozrejmou. Ale nebolo tomu vždy tak. Ešte nedávno žili milióny Európanov v časoch, keď nemohli slobodne ani voliť, ani vyjadriť svoj názor. Keď ich životy boli ohrozené len z jednoduchého dôvodu, že boli odlišní, zastávali iný názor alebo túžili po inom spôsobe života. Demokracia je vzácny dar, ktorý nám odovzdali predošlé generácie. Túžili po nej a bojovali za ňu. Teraz je na nás, aby sme si ju udržali, posilnili ju a postúpili budúcim generáciám. Najlepším spôsobom, ako to dosiahnuť, je hlasovať. Čím viac ľudí hlasuje, tým je demokracia silnejšia. 6.&nbsp;–&nbsp;9. júna 2024: Využi svoj hlas. Nenechaj za seba rozhodnúť iných.&lt;/p>&lt;p>© ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.&lt;/p>

Využi svoj hlas – European elections 2024 video – Slovak (audiodescription) 16:9

Využi svoj hlas – European elections 2024 video – Slovak (dubbed) 4:5

Využi svoj hlas – European elections 2024 video – Slovak (dubbed) 16:9

Využi svoj hlas – European elections 2024 video – Slovak (subtitled) 4:5

Využi svoj hlas – European elections 2024 video – Slovak (subtitled) 16:9

EP President Roberta Metsola, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, former EP President Pat Cox, and former Commission President Romano Prodi participate in a formal sitting of Parliament to mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement round along with representatives from the ten countries, that joined the EU 20 years ago. During the ceremony, the guests answer questions from a group of young people born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new Member States, who are invited to attend the sitting. Four young guests ask questions to Leszek MILLER, former Prime Minister of Poland, Anton ROP, former Prime Minister of Slovenia, Mikuláš DZURINDA, Former Prime Minister of Slovakia and Christina OJULAND, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.

20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement: Guests ask questions to Leszek MILLER, former Polish PM, Anton ROP, former Slovenian PM, Mikuláš DZURINDA, Slovak Former PM and Christina OJULAND, former Estonian Minister

MEPs look into alleged attacks on the rule of law and media freedom in Slovakia.

Attempts to dismantle Rule of Law and media freedom in Slovakia: MEPs debate

MEPs look into alleged attacks on the rule of law and media freedom in Slovakia. Opening statements by Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian Secretary of State for Digitalisation, and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Attempts to dismantle Rule of Law and media freedom in Slovakia: Opening statements by Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian Secretary of State for Digitalisation, and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

Parliament quizzes the Council and the Commission about how they intend to address the controversial reform proposals made by Robert Fico’s government. MEPs are expected to reiterate concerns about the Slovak government’s plans for criminal code reform and changes in the functioning of the country’s public-service media. MEPs say the ongoing reform, which led to the dissolution of Slovakia’s Special Prosecutor’s Office on 20 March and reduces penalties and limitation periods for financial crimes, threatens Slovakia’s ability to fight corruption and protect the EU budget.

Attempts to dismantle Rule of Law and media freedom in Slovakia: extracts from the debate

MEPs look into alleged attacks on the rule of law and media freedom in Slovakia. Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian Secretary of State for Digitalisation.

Attempts to dismantle Rule of Law and media freedom in Slovakia: Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, and Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian Secretary of State for Digitalisation

EP President Metsola meets the President of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová. This news item shows the arrival, meeting and roundtable

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Zuzana ČAPUTOVÁ, President of Slovakia: arrival, meeting and roundtable

How does Europe affect our everyday lives? How does it impact on our jobs, our families, our health care, our journeys and our consumer choices? And how is Europe present in our towns, cities and regions? As European citizens, no matter where we live, how we make our living, or how we spend our time, the EU has an impact on our daily lives. The website 'What Europe does for me' presents a wide range of short, easy-to-read texts drawn up by the European Parliamentary Research Service, focusing on what the European Union does and the impact it has on us all. It explores EU actions from the individual’s point of view, with many examples of projects and support.

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting people with disabilities - Slovakian (subtitles)

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting women in the workplace - Slovakian (subtitles)

Global challenges – including climate change, geopolitical conflict, erosion of democratic principles and social inequalities – affect people's daily lives and future prospects.A collective European response over the next 10 years could help to address these challenges – and offer benefits worth up to €3 trillion a year. This represents around 18 % of EU gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to €6 700 per citizen per year. Referring to the European Parliament's work during the 2019-2024 term, our research has identified action in 10 policy areas that could unleash Europe's potential – without the need for Treaty change.

Taispeánann 4 toradh téamaí ar ""

EU - Slovakia

EU - Slovakia (2019-2020)

Debate on the Future of Europe with Peter PELLEGRINI, Slovak Prime Minister

Anna learns a new language (Slovak version)