The Slovak government does not intend to recognize same-sex marriages or civil partnerships concluded in another EU country. In Slovakia, a gay couple who had married in Austria tried to register in the Slovak registry — unsuccessfully. The two men announced they would challenge the “illegal behavior” and asked other same-sex couples not to leave the country, saying, “we must stand up to the intimidations.” The European Commission opened proceedings on this in November (TheColu.mn reported). Slovakia stands alongside Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania as one of the last EU states that do not allow same-sex marriages or registered partnerships.