Since joining the OECD in 2000, and the European Union in 2004, the Slovak Republic has made major strides in protecting the environment and enhancing the quality of life of its people. Despite growing at the fastest rate among OECD countries from 2000.08, the Slovak Republic managed to stabilise or reduce emissions of a range of pollutants. Positioned at the heart of Europe, it has actively pursued environmental co.operation with its neighbours, particularly for the protection of wetlands. However, much remains to be done. The energy consumed, and pollution produced, to generate each unit of GDP is among the highest in the OECD, and Slovakia has paid a high price for a series of floods in recent years.