Slovakia - Factors To Watch on May 4

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PM FICO VISITS RUSSIA

Prime Minister Robert Fico will start an official one-day visit to Russia. He is expected to debate relations in the energy sector.

C.BANK WEEKLY FX RESERVES DATA

The central bank (NBS) will publish weekly foreign currency reserves data, 1200 GMT.

GOVT PARTY SAYS EYES FLAT TAX CUT - AGENCY

A junior Slovak government party seeks to cut the flat tax rate to make the country more attractive to foreign investors, the official news agency TASR reported on Thursday.

[ID:nL03264591] [RTRS-TAX-POL-SK]

CROWN FIRMS VS EURO, SEEN IN NARROW RANGE

The Slovak crown firmed against the euro on Thursday as regional woes faded, and dealers saw the unit moving in a narrow range in the short run.

[ID:nL03649349] [RTRS-MMT-FRX-SK]

PRESS DIGEST

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JUDGES DEMAND HIGHER WAGES

Slovak judges will file a set of lawsuits against Slovakia, demanding higher salaries comparable to those at the country's Special Court, which is in charge of cases involving organised crime.

Sme, page 1

SMER DEPUTY LEAVES PARLIAMENT

Edita Angyalova, a deputy for the leading ruling party SMER, is leaving parliament due to personal reasons. Her departure will not affect the number of SMER's mandates, which now stands at 50.

Sme, page 2

HEALTH-CARE SECTOR DEBATE

Three leaders of the ruling coalition parties will debate developments in the troubled health-care sector on Monday. Health Minister Ivan Valentovic met Prime Minister Robert Fico on Thursday but declined to give details of the talks.

Sme, page 2

FUEL PRICE FREEZE

Slovakia's sole oil refiner Slovnaft , a unit of Hungary's MOL , will freeze fuel prices despite a rising cost of oil on the world market until the next meeting with Prime Minister Robert Fico on May 9.

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: peter.laca.reuters.com@reuters.net

For real-time index quotes, double click in brackets:

Warsaw WIG20 Budapest BUX Prague PX50 Other related news: Slovak equities [SK-E] E.Europe equities [.CEE] Slovak money [SK-M] Czech debt [CZ-D] Slovak Indicators [SK-ECI] Emerging forex [EMRG/FRX] Eastern European [EEU] All emerging markets [EMRG] Hot stocks [HOT] Stock markets [STX] Market debt news [DBT] Forex news [FRX] TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets [TOP/EMRG] TOP NEWS -- Convergence watch [TOP/EAST]

($1=24.71 Slovak Crown)

[BRATISLAVA/Reuters/Finance.cz]