Schedule of Events for Wednesday, 17 December

MOSCOW, Russia - Finance Minister Dusan Mramor is to begin a two-day return visit to Russia, to discuss with his Russian counterpart Alexei Kudrov ways of increasing trade. Also on Wednesday, Slovenia's high representative for succession issues Rudolf Gabrovec is to meet with Russian Deputy Finance Minister Sergey Kolotukhin as Slovenia and Russia launch two-day talks on the repayment of the Soviet clearing debt. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - Results of a public opinion poll on national and international security are to be presented by the Defence Research Center of the Faculty of Social Sciences, at 10.30 AM.(STA)

PARIS, France - Europe Minister Janez Potocnik is to conclude a two-day visit to France. He is to discuss the next EU financial plan for 2007-2013, the economic growth and the common foreign and security policy with French officials, including European Affairs Minister Noelle Lenoir. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - At 10 AM, a national conference on the cooperation between the government and NGos, entitled "Let's Establish Cooperation", is to take place in an attempt to improve the conditions of the cooperation. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - Touring the seven NATO invitees, Walter Kolbow, deputy defence minister of Germany, is to finish a two-day working visit to Slovenia. One of the meetings on his agenda is also with Slovenian Defence Minister Anton Grizold.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Agriculture Minister Franci But is to attend a session of the EU council for agriculture and forestry.

LJUBLJANA - Continuing its December session, parliament is to discuss a bill to protect caves, and changes to the social security act, both in third reading. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - The social partners are to hold a session of the economic and social council to examine the primary report on the implementation of provisions in the international pact on economic, social and cultural rights, at 9 AM.

LJUBLJANA - The Agriculture and Forestry Chamber is to hold a press conference about its 2003 results and plans for 2004, at 10 AM.

KOPER - A panel is to discuss ways of improving short sea shipping, with a press conference following at 2 PM.

LJUBLJANA - Holding Slovenske elektrarne, a holding company of several Slovenian power plants, is to present results for 2003, at 5 PM.

DOBRNA - Terme Dobrna, a spa resort in NE Slovenia, will celebrate its 600th anniversary. The company will present business results for 2003 at a press conference.

ZAGREB, Croatia - Croatia's Cibona is to play Slovenia's Union Olimpija at 8.40 PM in the 7th round of the strongest European basketball league, the Euroleague (group A).

LJUBLJANA - Press review. (STA)

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

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

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