On 1st May 2004, the Slovak Republic became a full member of the European Union, where she has adopted an active and constructive role. Not only has the Slovak Republic recently accomplished its membership to the Schengen zone but currently, Slovakia is successfully preparing for the adoption of the common European currency, the Euro. 1st January 2009 is going to be the historical date when the present currency, the Slovak Crown (Slovenská koruna) is going to be replaced by the Euro.
Within EU`s institutional structure, Slovakia has 7 votes in the main decision-making body, the Council of the European Union. According to the rotation principle which is currently in use, the Slovak Republic will chair the Council in the second half of 2016.
In the Commission, which represents the executive of the EU, the Slovak Republic has one commissioner, Mr Jan Figel, who has served as the Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth since Slovakia`s accession to the EU in 2004.
Slovakia has 14 seats in the European Parliament, which is going to be reduced to 13 after the 2009 European elections.
Slovakia`s MEPs:
BACO, Peter - Non-attached Members
BAUER, Edit - Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats
BELOHORSKÁ, Irena - Non-attached Members
BEŅOVÁ, Monika - Socialist Group in the European Parliament
DUKA-ZÓLYOMI, Árpád - Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats
GA¼A, Milan - Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats
HUDACKÝ, Ján - Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats
KOTEREC, Miloš - Socialist Group in the European Parliament
KOZLÍK, Sergej - Non-attached Members
MAŅKA, Vladimír - Socialist Group in the European Parliament
MIKOLÁŠIK, Miroslav - Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats
PLEŠTINSKÁ, Zita - Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats
ŠASTNÝ, Peter - Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats
ZÁBORSKÁ, Anna - Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats
On 1st May 2004, Mr Jan Klucka was appointed one of the 27 judges of the European Court of Justice, the judiciary body of the EU. Since October 2006, Mr Jan Mazak has served as one of the 8 Advocates General of the Coart.
