Schedule of Events from 29 march to 4 April

MONDAY, 29 March

WASHINGTON, United States - Slovenia and seven other NATO invitees are to deliver their NATO ratification documents to the White House, thereby officially becoming members of the Alliance. Slovenia will be represented by PM Anton Rop, who will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel.

WASHINGTON, United States - In conjunction with the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Berlin-based European Security Initiative, Slovenia is to stage a conference on security in the Western Balkans.

LJUBLJANA - Jamie Shea, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for External Relations, is to arrive in Slovenia to mark the day that Slovenia officially joins the Alliance. He is to talk to the press about changes within NATO and current security challenges.

LJUBLJANA - The parliament is to resume its regular March session. The interpellation motion against Health Minister Dusan Keber, filed by the opposition Slovenian Democrats (SDS) and New Slovenia (NSi), is the only item on the agenda for Monday.

LJUBLJANA - A delegation of Italy's EU affairs commissions from both houses of parliament is scheduled to visit as part of consultations with parliaments of EU newcomers. The delegation is to be headed by senator Mario Greco and MP Giacomo Stucchi.

PORTOROZ - A two-day meeting of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, which is presided by Slovenia in 2004, is scheduled to begin. Officials from Albania, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy and Serbia-Montenegro are to hold working meetings to address the fight against organised crime, environment protection and sustainable development, economy and tourism, transport and maritime cooperation.

LJUBLJANA - The traditional Slovenia Business Week conference is to kick off. In the light of Slovenia's upcoming membership of the EU, the three-day event is to focus on changes that the financial sector can expect, as well as the EU's financial and other mechanisms that companies can take advantage of.

LJUBLJANA - A three-day conference entitled "Integration of Migrants and Refugees into Slovenian Society" is set to begin. The event is organised by the International Organisation for Migrations.

LJUBLJANA/MARIBOR - Celebrations are to be staged to mark the 130th anniversary of birth of general Rudolf Maister, and the 70th anniversary of his death.

LJUBLJANA - The start of a two-day international financial congress for Central, Eastern and South Europe entitled "Challenges and Opportunities for the IT Sector in Slovenia. The event is organised by the European Finance Convention.

TUESDAY, 30 March

LJUBLJANA - The parliament is to discuss an interpellation motion against Interior Minister Rado Bohinc on the last day of the regular March session.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The EU's ministers in charge of justice and home affairs are to hold a meeting to discuss efficient measures in the fight against terrorism. Interior Minister Rado Bohinc and Justice Minister Ivan Bizjak have been invited to attend.

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - national Council President Janez Susnik is to start a three-day official visit to Slovakia at the invitation of his counterpart Pavol Hrushovski.

LJUBLJANA - A joint delegation of Italy's EU affairs commissions from both houses of parliament is to meet with Parliament Speaker Borut Pahor and the parliamentary commission for European affairs on the second day of their two-day visit.

PORTOROZ - A plenary session of all working tables is to conclude the two-day meeting of the Adriatic-Ionian initiative.

IG - The International Foundation for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance (ITF) is to review its operations in 2003, adopt the working plan for 2004 and discuss demining activities in Cyprus.

LJUBLJANA - Polls are to open for early voting on the technicalities bill on the erased, which is scheduled for 4 April

LJUBLJANA - The 2003 Golden Bird (Zlata ptica) awards for up-and-coming Slovenian artists are to be conferred by the Liberal Academy.

WEDNESDAY, 31 March

BRDO PRI KRANJU - A three-day conference on social dialogue in EU acceding countries is set to begin. Attended by Labour Minister Vlado Dimovski, the event is organised by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions and the governments of the acceding countries.

LJUBLJANA - Forum 21, an association for political, economic, developmental and ethical issues led by former President Milan Kucan, is to convene for its maiden session.

BERLIN - Germany - Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel is to attend an international conference on Afghanistan.

LJUBLJANA - The British embassy in Ljubljana and the educational organisation British Council are to present the Crossroads for Ideas, a project designed to welcome Slovenia in the EU.

LJUBLJANA - The Association of Employers is to convene for a general assembly to discuss the wage policy and collective agreements with trade unions.

THURSDAY, 1 April

BERLIN, Germany - The German federal state Bavaria and the Slovenian embassy in Berlin are to organise an event to mark Slovenia's EU entry. Europe Minister Janez Potocnik is expected to attend.

PORTOROZ - The association of Slovenian managers, Manager, is to organise a two-day seminar discussing economic issues in the light of Slovenia's EU accession. PM Anton Rop is to be the guest of honour.

CHICAGO, United States - Director of the government office for Slovenian abroad, Jadranka Sturm Kocjan, is to meet with representatives of Slovenians living in the U.S.

LJUBLJANA - Weekly cabinet session.

LJUBLJANA - A two-day fairytale festival is to begin at the Cankarjev dom arts centre to mark the World Fairytale Day and the World Children's Books Day.

FRIDAY, 2 April

BRUSSELS, Belgium - A flag-raising ceremony is to be staged at the Brussels NATO headquarters to mark the official entry of seven newcomers, including Slovenia, into NATO. Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel is scheduled o attend the event on behalf of Slovenia.

LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary committee on foreign policy is to take a vote on five international treaties and conventions.

LJUBLJANA - The Economics Ministry is to organise a round-table debate on competition challenges for companies and economic policies in the new Europe.

KILDARE, Ireland - EU finance ministers, including Slovenia's Dusan Mramor, are to convene for a two-day informal meeting.

LJUBLJANA - The Modern Gallery is to host an international conference entitled "Public and Private: Culture Policy and Arts Market in Central and Eastern Europe".

SATURDAY, 3 April

LJUBLJANA - The non-parliamentary Party of Ecological Movements is to hold an election congress.

LJUBLJANA - Election calm starts at midnight ahead of the referendum on the technicalities act on the erased. Until Sunday, 7 PM.

LJUBLJANA - The Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) is to stage extensive protest rallies across Slovenia as part of efforts to increase wages in the industrial sector.

LJUBLJANA - The finals of the Miss Slovenia for Miss Universe contest.

SUNDAY, 4 April

LJUBLJANA - Polls are to open at 7 AM for the subsequent legislative referendum on the technicalities act on the erased. Polling stations close at 7 PM.