Schedule of Events for Friday, 19 March

LJUBLJANA - President Janez Drnovsek is to host a fifth round of debates on Slovenia's future, this time focusing on the prospects, development plans and dilemmas of the EU. The forum will be addressed by FM Dimitrij Rupel, Europe Minister Janez Potocnik and Mojmir Mrak, a member of the government working group on European affairs. Begins at 10 AM. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - A session of the Parliamentary Committee of the CEI is to be held behind closed doors as part of Slovenia's presidency of this Central European organisation. The role of national parliaments in the process of EU enlargement and the development of national identity and cultural heritage in globalisation are on the agenda. Begins at 9.30 AM; statement to the press at 2.30 PM. (STA)

ZAGREB, Croatia - Europe Minister Janez Potocnik is to meet members of the National Council for Competition to brief them on Slovenia's experience with EU accession. A meeting with Croatian Minister of European Integration Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic is also on his agenda. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - The Office for Slovenians Abroad is to host a seminar "Europe's Enlargement and the Opportunities for Slovenians Abroad". On the sidelines, head of the office Jadranka Sturm Kocjan is to meet chairs of Slovenian minority organisations in Austria, Croatia, Italy and Hungary. Begins at 9 AM.

BRUSSELS - Interior Minister Rado Bohinc and Justice Minister Ivan Bizjak are to take part in an emergency session of interior and justice ministers of the enlarged EU. Intensification of anti-terror fight in the wake of the recent bomb attacks in Madrid is to top the agenda.

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - Finance Minister Dusan Mramor is to complete his two-day attendance of an informal meeting with his counterparts from the EU acceding countries and an international conference on economic reforms. An informal session is to debate the EU's next financial perspective (2007-2013).

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - Slovenian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Samuel Zbogar is to attend a conference on the future of Europe after the EU and NATO have expanded later this year. The two-day event, which opened on Thursday, is attended by prime ministers from Visegrad Group countries and officials from the EU, NATO, and other countries.

ALPBACH, Austria - Agriculture and Forestry Minister Franci But is to attend the Alpbach European Forum focussing on mountains policy from the aspect of EU enlargement.

LJUBLJANA - The leader of the conservative New Slovenia (NSi) Andrej Bajuk is to speak about topical political and economic matters at a press conference at noon.

LJUBLJANA - A NSi lawmaker and an observer in the European Parliament, Alojz Peterle is to give a press conference at the Austrian Institute at 3 PM.

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian flag carrier Adria Airways and the Polish airline LOT are to sign a code share agreement facilitating air flights between Ljubljana and Warsaw. A joint press conference at noon. (STA)

LJUBLJANA - Holidays Show is to open at 1.30 PM, featuring 153 companies from 15 countries and focussing on tourism, vacations, food and wine. As part of it, the Tourist Organisation of Serbia is to present the potential for cooperation between Serbia and Slovenia at 2 PM. (STA)

PESARO, Italy - Ljubljana Mayor Danica Simsic is to begin a three-day visit to Pesaro upon the 40th anniversary of the two cities' cooperation.

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: Vlasta Horvat
3:30 PM to 10:00 PM: Eva Horvat

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