Schedule of Events for Friday, 17 February

LJUBLJANA - The leader of Montenegro's strongest opposition party, Predrag Bulatovic of the Socialist National Party, is to meet FM Dimitrij Rupel to discuss a referendum on Montenegrin independence, and the EU prospects of the Western Balkans. A statement to the press after 9:30 AM. (STA)

PTUJ - The management of the country's largest poultry producer, Perutnina Putj, is to outline its view of the developments regarding bird flu at a news conference scheduled for noon. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - The opposition National Party (SNS) is to present an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights regarding Governor of Austria's Carinthia Joerg Haider recent actions; at 12:30 PM. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - Interior Minister Dragutin Mate and MEP Miha Brejc (SDS/EPP) are to present to the press an EU regulation on border traffic at the EU's external land borders which the European Parliament passed on Tuesday; at 11 AM.

KRANJ - Development Minister Joze P. Damijan is to visit tyre maker Sava Tires to discuss the company's challenges with the management. News conference at 12:30 PM.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina - Economics Minister Andrej Vizjak is to attend the founding assembly of the Slovenian Business Club.

KOPER - The head of the General Secretariat for the 5th Pan-European Corridor, Giuseppe Razza, is to speak about projects along the route at a news conference at 9:30 AM.

LJUBLJANA - The council of the ruling Slovenian Democrats (SDS) is to discuss topical developments, with council chair Branko Grims to speak to the press at 6:15 PM.

BEGUNJE - Sports equipment makers Elan and Elan Marine are to present their business results from 2005 and plans for 2006 at a news conference scheduled for 2 PM.

LJUBLJANA - Minister of Higher Education Jure Zupan is to host the 12th ministerial of the Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies (CEEPUS). News conference at 10:30 AM.

LJUBLJANA - Education and Sports Minister Milan Zver is to meet Croatian Minister of Science, Education and Development Dragan Primorac, who will be attended the CEEPUS ministerial, at 11:45 AM.

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary EU affairs committee is to meet at 2 PM for its regular weekly closed-door session. Its chair Anton Kokalj is to speak to the press at 4:30 PM.

BANGALORE, India - President Janez Drnovsek is to attend celebrations marking 25 years of the Art of Living Foundation, an NGO dedicated to helping individuals develop their highest potential.

LJUBLJANA - Press review. (STA)

SLOVENIAN APPEARANCES AT THE TURIN GAMES

- Alpine skiing: women's combined (downhill at noon, slalom at 5 PM, 2nd run 7:30 PM)

- Cross-country: men's 15 km classical (10 AM)

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

8:30 AM to 3:30 PM: Eva Horvat
3:30 PM to 10:00 PM: Gorazd Jukovic

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