|
In 1918 the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to form
Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became
a communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe. Soviet influence
collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and
the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Historic,
political, and geographic factors have caused Slovakia to experience more
difficulty in developing a modern market economy than some of its Central
European neighbours, but after a slow start following the communist era,
Slovakia has been able to attract foreign manufacturers attracted by its
membership of the EU its skilled workforce and stable, welcoming
government. |
