Schedule of Events for Friday, 9 January

BERLIN, Germany - President Janez Drnovsek is to attend a two-day international forum on the future of the EU organised by Bertelsmann Stiftung. On the sidelines of the forum Dnovsek is scheduled to meet German President Johannes Rau at 11.15 AM.

WASHINGTON, the United States - Europe Minister Janez Potocnik is to begin a ten-day visit to the U.S. at the invitation of the U.S. State Department as part of a top foreign state officials programme.

LJUBLJANA - Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel is to hold a press conference at 11 AM to speak about 2004 foreign policy guidelines. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - The Constitutional Court is to hold a session at 10.30 AM to discuss among other issues a demand filed by a group of MPs to examine the constitutionality of the decree calling a referendum on the technicalities bill on the erased.

LJUBLJANA - Director of the Government Office for Regional Development and Structural Policy, Zdenka Kovac, is to present her department's work in 2003 and plans for 2004 to the press at 11 AM. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - A two-day conference on the strengthening of the social dialogue in the enlarged Europe is to open at 9 AM, organised by the European Commission and the Slovenian Labour Ministry. A press conference is to take place at 11 AM with the participation of Labour Minister Vlado Dimovski and Odile Quintin, the director general of Employment and Social Affairs General Directorate at the European Commission.

VRHNIKA - The Defence Ministry is to hold a press conference at 11 AM presenting the programme of voluntary conscription service.

POKLJUKA - Women's 10 km pursuit at the Biathlon World Cup kicks off at 2.15 PM. (STA)

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: Katja Kos
3:30 PM to 10:00 PM: Vlasta Horvat

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