Schedule of Events for Friday, 2 March

LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Jansa is to open the inaugural conference of the EU's 7th Research Framework Programme. The event, which is to get under way at 9:30 AM, is to feature European Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik, Economy Minister Andrej Vizjak and Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Jure Zupan. A press conference is scheduled for 10:45 AM. (STA/PHOTO)

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenska industrija jekla (SIJ) steel group is to hold a press conference at 11 AM to present the new majority owner, Russian group Koks, and plans for the future development of the company. (STA/PHOTO)

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel is to hold a meeting with the Strategic Council on Foreign Policy to discuss relations with Croatia. After the meeting, which begins at 11:30 AM, Rupel is expected to make a statement for the press. (STA/PHOTO)

LJUBLJANA - Upon the invitation of Justice Minister Lovro Sturm, Baroness Ashton of the British Department for Constitutional Affairs is to arrive in Slovenia. The pair are to address the press at 12:50 PM. (STA/PHOTO)

WIESBADEN, Germany - Defence Minister Karl Erjavec is attending a two-day informal meeting of EU defence ministers, which is to wrap up.

HEIDELBERG, Germany - Education Minister Milan Zver is attending a two-day informal meeting of the EU education ministers. On the last day, the ministers are expected to focus on life-long learning.

SALZBURG, Austria - Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Jure Zupan is to take part in a two-day meeting on European Research Area hosted by President of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts Felix Unger.

LJUBLJANA - The Economic and Social Council, an industrial relations forum, is to meet at 10 AM to discuss a bill on foreign labour, among other things.

BELGRADE, Serbia - A meeting sponsored by the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Agency for Foreign Investment Promotion and the Ministry of Economy, is to look into cooperation in research and development between Slovenia and Serbia; at 10 AM.

LJUBLJANA - Environment and Spatial Planning Minister Janez Podobnik and his aides are to outline the ministry's programme of work for 2007 at 10 AM.

NOVO MESTO - The staging of the ballet performance "Bygone Celebrations" is to mark a centenary of the birth of the ballet legend Pino Mlakar, who died last year.

LJUBLJANA - Press review. (STA)

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

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

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