Schedule of Events for Friday, 23 February

LONDON, UK - Finance Minister Andrej Bajuk is due to meet President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Jean Lemierre. The pair are expected to discuss cooperation between the EBRD and Slovenia, in particular in the funding of energy projects, small- and medium-sized companies and the financial sector.

LJUBLJANA - The Chamber of Commerce (GZS) and the Higher Education, Science and Technology Ministry are to outline Slovenia's options in working with the European Space Agency. The press conference is scheduled for 9 AM. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - A report on Slovenia's position in the EU in 2006 and a draft declaration that lists guidelines for the country's operation in EU institutions between January 2007 and June 2008 are to be on the agenda of the parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee and EU Affairs Committee as they meet for separate sessions at 9 AM. (STA)

BUDAPEST, Hungary - Environment and Spatial Planning Minister Janez Podobnik is to attend a meeting of environment ministers from the countries in the Danube Basin. The conference is to look for ways of improving inter-regional cooperation, among other things as part of UN Development Programme.

LJUBLJANA - Heads of parliamentary factions are scheduled to meet Speaker France Cukjati at noon to discuss the agenda of the session which is to get under way on 5 March. At this session parliament is expected to take a vote on the nominees for the minister of agriculture, food and forestry and the minister of development.

LJUBLJANA - Social partners are set to continue negotiations on amendments to the employment relations act. After the meeting, which will be held behind closed doors, Minister of Labour, the Family and Social Affairs Marjeta Cotman is to be on hand to make a statement for the press; at 1 PM.

SYDNEY, Australia - A delegation of the parliamentary Commission for Slovenians Abroad continues its visit to Slovenians living in Australia.

KOPER - Ales Rupnik of the Koper Diocese is to unveil an open letter to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano over his recent statements regarding post World War II events. At the same press conference, scheduled for 9:30 AM, Nova Gorica parish priest Gasper Rudolf is expected to speak about priests' initiative for reconciliation and cooperation among nations along the border.

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's largest commercial bank, NLB, is to hold a press conference at 10 AM to speak about its operating results and the changeover to the euro. (STA)

KRSKO - The NEK Decommissioning Fund is to hold a press conference at 10 AM to outline its operations in 2006 and future tasks. The fund is to finance the decomissioning of the Krsko nuclear power plant and nuclear waste depository.

LJUBLJANA - The Science and Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Franche-Comte University of Besancon, France, and Center national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) are to sign an agreement on the establishment of an associate institute ModeLTER; at 11:30 AM.

LJUBLJANA - The publisher Sanje is to unveil the third in a series of childhood memoirs by critically-acclaimed author Vladimir Bartol (1903-1967), called "Romantika in platonika sredi vojne" (Romance and Platonicism in Wartime).

KRANJSKA GORA - A press conference on the preparations for the Alpine Ski World Cup is to be held at 11 AM.

LASKO - Slovenia are to play Romania at 6:30 PM and Belgium will take on Moldova at 9 PM in day two of competition at a qualifying tournament for the European Futsal Championships. The tournament runs until Sunday.

LJUBLJANA - Press review. (STA)

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