Ambassador of Slovak Republic in Club
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Ambassador Slovak Republic Dusan Krsistofik |
On the 6th December in the Diplomatic Economic Club there was held a meeting with the Ambassador of Slovakia continuing the series of meetings „Temporary available“. Members had a chance to learn more about Slovakia, the country politically known as an Eastern European one; however, geographically it is located exactly in the middle of Europe. Ambassador of Slovakia in Latvia Mr. Dušan Krištofik replied many questions and told interesting facts about Slovakia.
Lot’s it was spoken about Slovakia’s experience in adopting Euro. The Ambassador told about the citizen and business society’s attitude to the European currency before and after euro introduction in the country. Slovak people, and especially business community, were positive about the transition to Euro, since 85% of country’s GDP comes from export, and 85% of export goes to the EU countries. When the Slovakian Crown exchange rate was floating, companies working for export had more risks.
The other argument in favor of euro was that Slovakia, as a small country inside the EU, where there are more powerful countries, affecting economy of the union more, already has lost its monetary freedom natural way, and is influenced by other more powerful EU states. Therefore, the decision for transition to Euro was logical and convenient step. Country didn’t make any referendum about the euro issue, but general polls showed that citizens are positive about changing the currency. Approximately 72% of population supported Euro already before it officially became a currency of Slovakia. After Slovakia fully introduced euro, support even grown up to 80%. Introducing Euro, Slovakia was using the experience of Slovenia and Cyprus, which introduced Euro before.
Currently the country is strictly following the Maastricht criteria in finance.Like in Poland, the state debt could be only 55% of GDP, what is strictly definied in the constitution. Slovakia is a member of OECD, and of all the Unions existing in Europe; has the rapid growth of machinery industry, and is the fastest growing economy in the EU. Country is the lowest-debt state in EU, if one counts including all the general parameters – state debt, enterprises debt, etc. The recent financial crises didn’t affect Slovakia that much as other countries in Europe, because country’s citizens are very conservative in taking loans from banks.
The banking sector of the country includes mostly the branches of the other EU countries’ banks. Important sector of the economy is the import of oil-chemical production.
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Meeting with the Ambassador of Slovakia in the Diplomatic Club |
To name the other production Slovakia is proud of, is worth to mention the famous antivisrus program „Asset Management“ , which was made in Slovakia by Slovakian specialists. Slovakia is a producer of Sony electrotechnics in Europe. Currently the country has car factories, which do the full construction of some car brands: for example, VW Touareg, Audi Q7, KIA Sportive, VW UP. These brands have full construction in the country, including parts, which are also produced in Slovakia.
800 000 cars are produced in Slovakia every year.22 000 persons are employed in the construction industry.
Totally 70 000 persons are employed in the car production.
Talking about tourism, ambassador told about Slovakia’s resort in high Tatry Mountains, which attracts many tourists every year. Clean air, pure water, mountings and hiking routes, good food and hospitality – these aspects attracts lots of inbound tourists and many from abroad. Country has the biggest castle in Europe – Špis Castle.
Slovakia is happy to welcome more tourists and to show it’s hospitality to those, who didn’t have a chance to visit this beautiful place yet. Therefore, from 17th December the embassy of Slovakia in Latvia is launching a project – tourism in Slovakia advertisement movies on channel TV3 and LNT.Talking about other economical aspects, the level of unemployment in Slovakia is 13-14%. The statistics is influenced by the Roma descent group, which is settled in the eastern part of the country and amongst this group unemployment level is reaching 98%.
Among other development indicators in the country: Average salary: 786EUR per month;
GDP: 62 Billion USD;
GDP per capita: 17.4%.
Like many other countries, Slovakia as well has different level of development by regions. While western part with the capital Bratislava is very good developed, the eastern part is so called „depressive“ area, with high impact of Roma population, high unemployment rates and weak development. Therefore, currently the main objective of country’s development program and the use of EU funds go to the priority sphere – development of infrastructure. Development level of Bratislava is on the good level and the capital is not getting any EU structure fund’s grants, while most of them are directed to eastern areas.
Paying attention to the trade relations with Latvia, ambassador marked that the trade balance is currently very imbalanced:
Export to Latvia: 90%
Import from Latvia: 10%
The similar situation is observed other direction.Investments between Latvia and Slovakia are on the very low level, they are almost non-existent.Export from Latvia to Slovakia includes fish products, textile and timber.
At the end of the meeting Ambassador replied some personal questions, and told that he likes travelling, nature, history and languages, what also influenced his profession’s choice. He likes Slovakia resort in High Tatry, Sigulda area in Latvia, and Ragaciems near the sea. For summer holidays he usually goes to Croatia, which is the closest sea resort to Slovakia, and one can reach it by car in approximately 5-6 hours.
In his spare time he likes gardening, as a relaxing time passing on fresh air, in a green friendly environment.
Ambassador’s favorite music – rock-in roll, and Slovakian group „Elan“ .
Slovak greatest national festival is Christmas with traditional food, — carp fish, potato onion salad, and cabbage soup.
At the meeting of the club took part:
V.Roldugin, M. Preminin, V. Lapatko, O. Butenko, Liu Jun, K. Kokina, Zh. Myrzakassimova, E. Lopatko, A. Pertcev, A. Chernov, E. Ozolins
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