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MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE EU - SLOVAKIA

Slovakia is a country in eastern central Europe and is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south. The Carpathian Mountains extend across the northern half of the country and include the High Tatras, which provide a natural watershed between Slovakia and Poland. In the southern half of the country are the lowlands of the Danube plain.

The most important sectors of Slovakia’s economy in 2014 were industry (24.7 %), wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (22.4 %) and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (14.5 %).

Slovakia’s main export partners are Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland while its main import partners are Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria.

Capital: Bratislava

Geographical size: 49 035 km²

Population: 5 415 949 (2014)

Population as % of total EU population: 1.1 % (2014)

GDP: € 75.215 billion (2014)

Official EU language(s): Slovak

Political system: parliamentary republic

EU member country since: 1 May 2004

Seats in the European Parliament: 13

Currency: Euro. Member of the eurozone since 1 January 2009

Schengen area member? Yes, Schengen Area member since 21 December 2007.

Presidency of the Council: Slovakia will hold the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in 2016.

Slovakia in the EU

European Parliament

There are 13 members of the European Parliament from Slovakia. Find out who these MEPsare.

European Parliament office in Slovakia

Council of the EU

In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Council meetings are regularly attended by representatives from the Slovakian government, depending on the policy area being addressed.

Presidency of the Council of the EU

The Council of the EU doesn't have a permanent, single-person president (like e.g. the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months.

During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.

Dates of Slovakian presidencies:

Jul-Dec 2016

More on the current presidency of the Council of the EU.

European Commission

The Commissioner nominated by Slovakia to the European Commission is Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President for Energy Union.

The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation".

Commission representation in Slovakia

European Economic & Social Committee

Slovakia has 10 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee. This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in member countries.

Committee of the Regions

Slovakia has 9 representatives on the Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. This advisory body is consulted on proposed laws, to ensure these laws take account of the perspective from each region of the EU.

Permanent representation to the EU

Slovakia also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representationin Brussels. As Slovakia's "embassy to the EU", its main task is to ensure that the country's interests and policies are pursued as effectively as possible in the EU.

Budgets and Funding

How much does Slovakia contribute and receive?

Member countries' financial contributions to the EU budget are shared fairly, according to means. The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa. The EU budget doesn't aim to redistribute wealth, but rather to focus on the needs of all Europeans as a whole.

Breakdown of Slovakia’s finances with the EU in 2014:

Total EU spending in Slovakia – € 1.669 billion
Total EU spending as % of Slovakian GNI – 2.26 %
Total Slovakian contribution to the EU budget – € 0.625 billion
Slovakian contribution to the EU budget as % of its GNI – 0.85 %

More figures on the EU budget, revenue and spending:

EU-funded projects in Slovakia

The money paid into the EU budget by Slovakia helps fund programmes and projects in all EU countries - like building roads, subsidising researchers and protecting the environment.