STA Coverage on Thursday, 4 July

LJUBLJANA - The Dalai Lama is to begin his first, three-day visit to Slovenia. Arriving upon the invitation of the University of Ljubljana, the Tibetan spiritual leader is expected to meet with several top Slovene officials for private meetings despite the Chinese Embassy's official protest against the visit. A press conference is scheduled for Thursday at 1.45 PM. On Saturday, the religious leader is to share his thoughts about the power of compassion with a crowd at Ljubljana's central park.

LJUBLJANA/BRDO PRI KRANJU - Spanish King Juan Carlos, who arrived for a three-day official visit on Wednesday, is due to meet with President Milan Kucan, PM Janez Drnovsek and Speaker Borut Pahor. The king is also to meet with Ljubljana Archbishop and Slovene Metropolitan Franc Rode. After meeting the king, Kucan is scheduled to speak to the press at 11:30 AM.

LJUBLJANA - The FRY and Slovenia are to resume talks on a free trade agreement. The trade in agricultural goods is to top the agenda.

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary European affairs commission is to discuss Denmark's priorities during its stint at the top of the EU, a report from the EU summit in Sevilla as well as a report on Slovenia's progress towards EU membership.

MARIBOR - The Maribor Europe House and the Maribor regional chamber of commerce are to host a conference on the Slovene economy and state aids in the EU. Attendance of Finance Minister Anton Rop and head of the health insurer Vzajemna France Arhar, among other experts is expected. A press conference is to be held in early afternoon.

LJUBLJANA - The opposition Youth Party (SMS), a newcomer to parliament at the 2000 general elections, is to outline its work over the past year at a press conference scheduled for 11 AM.

LJUBLJANA - Weekly cabinet session.

LJUBLJANA - Press review.

In case of further queries please contact:
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3:30 PM to 10:00 PM: Gorazd Jukovic at +386 1 241 0108

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