STA Coverage on Wednesday, 9 October

BRUSSELS - The European Commission is to confirm the annual reports on progress made by EU candidates towards membership at 2.30 PM. It will also issue recomendations on which applicants should be ready to wrap up negotiations by the end of the year and join the Union in 2004.

LJUBLJANA - Also at 2.30 PM, EU ambassador to Slovenia Erwan Fouere is to present the report to PM Janez Drnovsek, who is expected to hold a press conference at 3 PM. At 4 PM, Fouere, Europe Minister Janez Potocnik and Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel are also to talk to the press.

SKOFJA LOKA/LJUBLJANA - Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek is expected to finally confirm his presidential candidacy at a 3 PM press conference which is to focus on the presidential race, the EU report and NATO accession. At 3.30 PM, the council of the Liberal Democracy (LDS) is to convene to confirm Drnovsek as the party's official presidential candidate.

LJUBLJANA - A U.S. delegation led by U.S. Ambassador to NATO Nicholas Burns, which arrived in Slovenia on Tuesday, is to be received by President Milan Kucan and PM Janez Drnovsek to discuss Slovenia's expectations to be invited into NATO at November's Prague summit.

LJUBLJANA - The Slovenia-run International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF) is to hold a press conference to present results of four years of demining operations in SE Europe.

LJUBLJANA - Press review.

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