Slovakia - Factors To Watch on June 26

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MONETARY POLICY MEETING

The central bank will hold its monthly monetary policy meeting, 0700 GMT. Decision on rates is expected between 0915-1100 GMT, news conference is scheduled for 1100 GMT.

Analysts polled by Reuters unanimously expected the key two-week repo rate to stay unchanged at 4.25 percent in June.

REPO TENDER

The central bank will hold a regular two-week repo tender.

C/A BALANCE

The central bank will release January-April current account data, by 1500 GMT.

FOREIGN DEBT

The central bank will release end-March foreign debt data, by 1500 GMT.

PARLIAMENT SESSION

The parliament continues its monthly session, with amendments to the labour code among key issues on the agenda.

NATO'S CRADDOCK IN SLOVAKIA

John Craddock, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, will visit Slovakia. News conferecne with Slovak Defence Minister at 1520 GMT.

EDF SAYS IN TALKS TO BOOST SLOVAK POWER OUTPUT

EDF is in preliminary talks with Slovakia to help the country increase its electricity production capacity, a spokesman at the French power giant confirmed on Monday.

[ID:nL25889111] [RTRS-NUC-ELG-SK]

FOREIGN DEMAND DOWN SHARPLY IN SLOVAK BOND AUCTION

Demand in Slovakia's three-year, zero-coupon state bond auction fell sharply on Monday as foreign investors sought higher yields elsewhere.

[ID:nL25504325] [RTRS-GVD-DBT-ISU-SK]

CROWN SLIDES ON REGION, EYES RATE DECISION

The Slovak crown drifted lower against the euro on Monday along with softer sentiment throughout central European markets as investors eyed a central bank rate decision on Tuesday.

[ID:nL25714106] [RTRS-MMT-FRX-SK]

PRESS DIGEST

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SES GETS $128 MLN DEAL IN CHILE

Slovakia's engineering firm SES Tlmace has won a 3.2 billion crown ($127.5 million) contract in Chile to build a new coal energy plant. SES will cooperate with Italy's Maireengeneering Torino on the deal.

Sme, page 6

HEALTHCARE INSURERS

Prime Minister Robert Fico said his government was seeking full state control over health insurance market. Fico said the government will drive private health insurers out of the public medical system.

Pravda, page 4

STORMS, WINDS HIT CROP

Storms and high winds have damaged farm crop in Slovakia in recent weeks, but officials say it is too early to estimate losses. Farmers say unfavourable weather may raise food prices.

Hospodarske Noviny, page 13

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=25.04 Slovak Crown) ($1=25.10 Slovak Crown)