Slovakia
The Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic went their separate ways after 1 January 1993, an event sometimes called the Velvet Divorce. Slovakia has remained a close partner with the Czech Republic. Both countries co-operate with Hungary and Poland in the Visegrád Group. Slovakia became a member of NATO on 29 March 2004 and of the European Union on 1 May 2004. On 1 January 2009, Slovakia adopted the Euro as its national currency.
Martin Declaration
The declaration came two days after the declaration of Czechoslovak independence by the Czech National Committee in Prague. The Slovaks acted independently as news of the Czech declaration had not reached Martin by the time of the Slovak declaration. The council attempted to take control of Slovakia but was thwarted by a Hungarian military intervention which seized Martin on 15 November. Czech troops soon took the town and the new government in Prague appointed Vavro Šrobár as minister for Slovakia.