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.
National Bank of Slovakia
The supreme governing body of the National Bank of Slovakia is the Bank Board, which formulates monetary policy, applies appropriate instruments, and rules on monetary measures. It is composed of the Governor and two Vice-Governors, who are appointed and dismissed by the President of Slovakia and other eight members, who are appointed and dismissed by the Slovak government following the proposal of the Governor. As many as three members of the Bank Board are not required to be in a working relationship with the NBS.