Schedule of Events for Tuesday, 7 February

LJUBLJANA - The Preseren Awards, the highest state prizes in the field of culture, are to be given out at a ceremony in the Cankarjev dom arts and conference centre on the eve of Culture Day. The honours are being shared this year by essayist and writer Milan Dekleva and film director Karpo Godina. The ceremony is set to get underway at 8 PM. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly is to resume its regular January session at 9 AM with a debate and vote on the amendments to the asbestos ban act filed by the opposition Social Democrats (SD). Lawmakers are also to discuss the proposal to grant the Slovenian Motorway Company, DARS, a state guarantee for a EUR 1bn loan. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - Defence Minister Karl Erjavec is to outline the ministry's plan for 2006 at a press conference scheduled for 11 AM.

LJUBLJANA - The National Electoral Commission is to launch a session at 1 PM to discuss a report on the outcomes of local referendums on the establishment of 17 new municipalities. (STA)

HELSINKI, Finland - A delegation of the parliamentary commission for Slovenians abroad led by Janez Kramberger is to continue a three-day official visit to Finland to hold meetings with Finnish officials and meet representatives of the Slovenian community in Finland.

LJUBLJANA - The National Council's commission for the economy is to stage a debate at 3 PM on business chambers, involving national councillors, government officials and representatives of Slovenian business chambers.

LJUBLJANA - The Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS), the country's biggest trade union association, is to hold a press conference at 11 AM to speak about the government's plans for flat tax.

SEMPETER PRI GORICI - Automotive parts maker Iskra Avtoelektrika is to hold a press conference at 11 AM to present 2005 business results and plans for this year.

LJUBLJANA - The organisers of the 15th Slovenian Advertising Festival are to present plans for the festival - scheduled to be held between 29 and 31 March - at a press conference scheduled for 11 AM.

LJUBLJANA - Press review. (STA)

In case of further queries please contact duty editor at +386 1 241 0109:

8:30 AM to 3:30 PM: Sebastijan Macek
3:30 PM to 10:00 PM: Gorazd Jukovic

Comments and suggestions may be sent to: english@sta.si