Present role of development co-operative society in Lithuania and in the Slovak Republic

The co-operative movement in Lithuania and in the Slovak Republic went through ups and downs and till nowadays managed to be democratic orientated with developed legal system at the same time. Most of co-operatives in European Union are small and medium-sized as they employ less than 250 people. Trade is the main activity of Lithuanian co-operatives. This branch generates 70 percent of total income and occupies more than a 6 thousand employees. Annual sales of goods exceed 130 million Euro. In Slovakian consumers (trade) co-operatives as a whole are profitable at the moment and their eeol1omie positiol1 is the best among other types of co-operatives. This branch generates more than 50 percent of total income and occupies more than a 12 thousand employees. Annual turnover is higher than in Lithuania. Upon a decision on the accession of Lithuania and Slovakia to the European Union, co-operation passed through legal environment changes, new laws were adapted. As current situation in Lithuania and in Slovakia refers to international development of co-operation policy not only in EU eOl1text, these eOl1ditions are highlighted in the article.