Slovakia

Right at the heart of Europe and with a history intertwined with that of its neighbours, has proudly preserved its own language and distinct cultural traditions.

It was part of Czecho until the "velvet divorce" in January 1993. The subsequent independence years can be divided into several chapters.

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The story in chapter one revolved around frosty relations with the European Union and Nato combined with rejection of economic reform.

Chapter two saw a complete change of direction and moves to embrace all three, culminating in EU and Nato membership in 2004.

For the first five years after independence, there was growing international criticism of the lack of respect for minority rights and the democratic process shown by the authoritarian prime minister, Vladimir Meciar.

He led a string of coalition governments, pursuing nationalist and populist policies until October 1998 when an alliance of liberals, centrists, left-wingers and ethnic Hungarians ousted him, forming a new coalition with Mikulas Dzurinda as prime minister.

During Mr Dzurinda's term of office (1998-2006), forged ahead with an economic reform programme and saw a boost in foreign investment. His government also tried to improve the lot of minorities.

's ethnic Hungarian community constitutes about a tenth of the country's population, and the status of this substantial minority has long been a source of tension between and Hungary.

The premiership of Mr Dzurinda's successor, Robert Fico, has been marred by regular sparring over the treatment of the Hungarian minority.

also has a significant Romany population which suffers disproportionately high levels of poverty and social deprivation.

The post-war Benes decrees, which called for the expulsion of 3 million ethnic Germans and 600,000 ethnic Hungarians from then-Czecho and the confiscation of their property, remain a sensitive issue in relations with neighbours.

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Full name: Slovak Republic Population: 5.4 million (UN, 2010) Capital: Bratislava Area: 49,033 sq km (18,932 sq miles) Major language: Slovak Major religion: Christianity Life expectancy: 72 years (men), 79 years (women) (UN) Monetary unit: 1 euro