Exploring Neighbors: Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, And Serbia

Slovakia, officially the Slovak Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the west, and the Czech Republic to the northwest. The country's capital and largest city is Bratislava.

Slovenia is a mountainous country in Central Europe that shares a border with Croatia, Hungary, Italy, and Austria. The capital of Slovenia is Ljubljana.

Austria is a country in Central Europe that shares a border with Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, and Liechtenstein.

Croatia is a country in Central Europe and Southeastern Europe that shares a border with Hungary, Slovenia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Serbia is a country in Central Europe and Southeastern Europe that shares a border with Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Croatia, and Montenegro.

The border between Slovakia and Hungary

Slovaks and Hungarians lived together within the same state between the 10th and 20th centuries, but this cohabitation was compromised at the end of the 19th century. The Kingdom of Hungary began a policy of assimilation, which impacted its Slovak-speaking population. While the Hungarian Nationalities Law of 1868 ensured the use of minority languages at a local level, the Hungarian language was privileged by the state, to the detriment of other languages spoken in the country.

In the 20th century, the border between Hungary and Czechoslovakia was established by the Treaty of Trianon in 1920. This treaty was signed after World War I, and ceded much of Upper Hungary to the new Czechoslovak state. This left a sizable Hungarian population residing in Slovakia, and a smaller Slovak minority in Hungary. The border was modified in Hungary's favour in 1938 and 1939, and after World War II, Czechoslovakia imposed considerable demographic changes. Although the Allies did not accept the expulsion of the Magyar population, forced population exchanges took place, and many Magyars were forcibly displaced.

In more recent history, Hungary and Slovakia have had frequent minor diplomatic conflicts. In 1995, Slovakia introduced a language law that demanded civil servants speak Slovak and imposed fines for the use of foreign languages on public documents or in broadcasting without translation. This caused tension as it affected the Hungarian minority in Slovakia, and Hungary refused to sign a treaty declaring the inviolability of the mutual boundaries. In 1999, Slovakia abolished the sections of the language law that allowed for these fines.

Despite these conflicts, Slovakia and Hungary have several areas of cooperation. They are both members of the Schengen area and the Visegrád Group, and collaborate within the framework of the Interreg programme to increase the economic and social integration of the cross-border region.

The border between Slovakia and Ukraine

There are four border crossing points: Ubľa BCP, Veľké Slemence, Vyšné Nemecké, and Čierna nad Tisou. Ubľa BCP is open 24/7 for pedestrians, cyclists, and cars/buses. Veľké Slemence is for pedestrians and cyclists only and is open from 8 am to 8 pm, while only Ukrainian and EU nationals can cross. Vyšné Nemecké is open 24/7 for cars and buses, but pedestrians cannot cross. Čierna nad Tisou is open 24/7 for trains only.

In 2008, approximately 2.8 million people crossed the border, and more than 1.5 million items were transported across. Slovakia and Ukraine established diplomatic relations in 1993, and it is estimated that between 40,000 and 100,000 people of Ukrainian origin live in Slovakia.

To maintain good relations and trust between the two countries, Slovakia and Ukraine have implemented the SIBSU project, which aims to spark new partnerships and continue cooperation. The project includes activities such as thematic workshops, language courses, and study visits to promote knowledge transfer and mutual understanding between the two nations.

The border between Slovakia and the Czech Republic

The countries that border Slovakia are Poland, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria. The border between Slovakia and the Czech Republic is one of the newest boundaries in Europe. It stretches for 156 miles in a relatively straight line from southwest of the tripoint of the Czech, Polish, and Slovak borders to the meeting point of the Slovak, Austrian, and Czech borders.

In recent years, the Czech Republic has implemented temporary border checks with Slovakia in response to increased migration activity. These checks were lifted in February 2024 due to a decrease in migrant crossings. Both countries are members of the Schengen area, which allows for free movement between member states.

The relationship between Slovakia and the Czech Republic is cordial, with both countries sharing a history and promoting close ties. The two countries have cooperated in various fields, including the restoration of international transport connections and the management of migration flows.

The border between Slovakia and Austria

During the Cold War, the border between the two countries was part of the Iron Curtain, a significant barrier between Czechoslovakia and Austria. When Czechoslovakia was partitioned, this boundary remained unmodified. Up until 2004, the border crossing was the only link between the European Union and Slovakia, giving it an important political and economic role. This changed in 2007 when the borders were opened and Slovakia joined the Schengen Zone. There are now two railway lines, two motorways, a ferry crossing, and several roads connecting the two countries.

Austria and Slovakia are both members of the Schengen Agreement, meaning there is no passport or border control when travelling between the two countries. However, it is still required by law to carry a passport or ID card when travelling.

The border between Slovenia and Croatia

The main disputes have centred around the Gulf of Piran, with Slovenia proposing to establish the border in the centre of the Gulf, and Croatia arguing that it should be an equal distance from each shore. The effects of the dispute were particularly severe for fishers, and required the intervention of foreign arbitrators and a referendum to be settled. Another point of contention was the Dragonja River, with Croatia believing the border to be the river itself, and Slovenia arguing that it was south of the river. This dispute was eventually resolved with the border being set on the river itself.

In addition, there was a dispute over the Sveta Gera/Trdinov vrh mountain range, with both countries claiming the highest peak. This issue has since become dormant. There was also a dispute over the Mura River, which has naturally modified its course over time, but the border remained as previously determined. Slovenia proposed that the border should follow the present-day river course, but Croatia rejected this.

The countries attempted to resolve the disputes through various agreements, such as the Drnovšek–Račan agreement in 2001, which was ratified by Slovenia but not Croatia. Slovenia also blocked Croatia's EU accession talks until an agreement was reached by both countries and the EU to settle the dispute through binding arbitration. On 29 June 2017, the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a binding ruling on the border, which was hailed by Slovenia but rejected by Croatia.

In December 2017, Slovenia started implementing the arbitration ruling on the sea border, but Croatia continued to oppose it. Slovenia submitted a letter of complaint against Croatia to the European Commission, which refused to get involved. Slovenia then brought an action against Croatia before the European Court of Justice, asking the court to establish whether Croatia had breached articles of the EU treaty. In January 2020, the Court ruled that it had no jurisdiction to rule on the dispute.

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