Slovakia - Factors To Watch on March 15

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    EU-NORM INFLATION 
    The Statistics Office will publish February EU-norm 
inflation data, 9 a.m. (0800 GMT). Analysts forecast EU-norm 
inflation of 0.2 percent month-on-month, and 2.1 
percent year-on-year. 
     
    MOCHOVCE PLANT 
    Slovenske Elektrarne will inform on the state of 
construction of the third and fourth blocs of the nuclear power 
plant Mochovce. 
     
    PM MEETS REGIONAL AUTHORITIES 
    Prime Minister Robert Fico will meet chairmen of the eight 
regional districts to discuss projects for EU structural funds. 
     
    TRADE MOVES INTO SURPLUS, RATE CUT ODDS RISE 
    Slovakia's foreign trade swung into a surplus for the first 
time in three years in January, data on Wednesday showed, with 
analysts saying this boosted chances for a monetary policy 
easing this month. 
    [ID:nL14299493] [RTRS-MCE-ECI-TRD-SK] 
     
     
    CROWN FIRMS, CRACKS 34.0/EURO, OUTLOOK CLOUDY 
    The Slovak crown firmed to crack a psychological 34.0 per 
euro level on Wednesday, helped by surprisingly strong foreign 
trade data, but dealers said the outlook was cloudy in the short 
run. 
    [ID:nL14446031] [RTRS-MMT-FRX-SK] 
     
    Slovak Telekom proposes $77 mln dividend payout 
    Slovakia's dominant phone operator, Slovak Telekom (ST), 
will propose a dividend totalling 2 billion crowns ($77.49 
million), the firm said on Wednesday. 
    [ID:nL14569903] [RTRS-TEL-DIV-SK] 
     
    PRESS DIGEST 
    ------------ 
    SCHENGEN ENTRY 
    Interior Minister Robert Kalinak said Slovakia would adopt 
by June all necessary measures to comply with requirements for 
entering EU's Schengen area. 
    Sme, page 2 
     
    TRANSPETROL SHARES 
    Economy Minister Lubomir Jahnatek wants to extend its option 
allowing it to veto transfers of the 49 percent stake in the oil 
pipeline operator Transpetrol. Slovakia's option to block any 
deal with the 49 percent stake, formerly owned by the stricken 
oil firm YUKOS, expires at the end of March. 
    Sme, page 7 
     
    For news on upcoming events in the United States and other 
Group of Seven countries, see . For a diary of 
forthcoming Slovak events, double click [SK/DIARY], and a 
calendar of east European economic indicators, see [CONV/DIARY]. 
     
    News editor of the day: Peter Laca, on +421 2 5341 8402; 
fax: +421 2 5341 8403 
    E-mail: editorial@reuters.sk 
    Reuters Messaging: pater.laca.reuters.com@reuters.net 
     
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