Schedule of Events for Friday, 23 January

LJUBLJANA - Neil Kinnock, the European Commission vice-president in charge of administrative reform, is to pay a visit to Slovenia as part of a tour of acceding countries. He is scheduled to meet PM Anton Rop, FM Dimitrij Rupel, Europe Minister Janez Potocnik and his host, Interior Minister Rado Bohinc. Kinnock, Bohinc and Potocnik are to give a press conference at 2.15 PM. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - Head of the IMF mission to Slovenia Biswajit Banerjee is to speak to the press upon the conclusion of a two-week visit, alongside Bank of Slovenia governor Mitja Gaspari and Finance Minister Dusan Mramor. At 12.30 PM (STA)

DAVOS, Switzerland - On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Slovenian President Janez Drnovsek is to hold a series of bilateral meetings, expectedly with President of the European Parliament Pat Cox, Poland's President Aleksander Kwasniewski, EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, Canadian PM Paul Martin, U.S. Senator Joseph Biden, Danish PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and Dutch PM Jan Peter Balkenende.

LJUBLJANA - The Transport Ministry is to hold a press conference presenting a meeting of transport ministers of Slovenia, Italy, Hungary and Croatia scheduled for 26 January in Slovenia, at 10.30 AM. (STA)

ZAGREB, Croatia - Leader of the opposition Slovenian Democrats (SDS) Janez Jansa is to meet with leader of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and Croatian PM Ivo Sanader, at 4 PM.

GORIZIA, Italy - Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel is to meet the heads of the two umbrella organisations of the Slovenian minority in Italy, Sergij Pahor and Rudi Pavsic, at 5 PM. He is also to attend an event titled "On the Threshold of a New Europe - Slovenia in the EU", at 6 PM. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - At 10 AM, chair of the parliamentary commission for European affairs Alojz Peterle is to speak to the press about the potential for the adoption of the European constitution and the report on Slovenia's preparadness for the EU. (STA)

KLAGENFURT, Austria - The 25th Tischler Award - conferred onto Slovenian people or institutions credited with merits for the Slovenian minority in Austria's Carinthia - is to be conferred by two minority organisations. This year's laureate is Vladimir Klemencic. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - The protection of human rights in the area of social affairs is to be debated at an event organised by the Social Chamber of Slovenia. Ombudsman Matjaz Hanzek is to address the participants. Begins at 9 AM.

LJUBLJANA - Results of the latest survey Politbarometer are to be presented to the public at 10.30 AM. (STA)

KOPER - At noon, the automotive company Cimos is to speak to the press about the latest developments in the company.

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary commission investigating the attack on journalist Miro Petek is to hold a session at 10 AM.

CELJE/KOPER - Second day of the European Handball Championships:

Group C (Celje):

Hungary - Iceland at 6.30 PM
Slovenia - Czech Republic at 8.30 PM

Groups D (Koper):

Serbia-Montenegro - France at 6.30 PM
Poland - Germany at 8.30 PM

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: Ela Petrovcic
3:30 PM to 10:00 PM: Gorazd Jukovic

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