Slovakia - Factors To Watch on July 2

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STATE BUDGET

The finance ministry will publish central state budget data for January-June.

C.BANK FOREX RESERVES RISE TO $17.6 BLN

The Slovak central bank's (NBS) foreign currency reserves edged up to $17.576 billion as of June 27, from $17.533 billion a week ago, the bank said on Friday.

[ID:nL29850316] [RTRS-CEN-FRX-SK]

CROWN HITS 6-WK HIGHS VS EURO, SEEN STRONG

The Slovak crown rose to more than a six-week high against the euro on Friday, lifted by gains in other emerging markets, and dealers saw more firming in the short run if the regional bullish mood holds.

[ID:nL29933509] [RTRS-MMT-FRX-SK]

PRESS DIGEST

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FICO HINTS COULD SERVE ONLY ONE TERM

Prime Minister Robert Fico said in an interview for tabloid Novy Cas that he might serve only one term in the office.

Sme, page 2

CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATS SEEK SNS VOTERS

Pavol Hrusovsky, a re-elected leader of Christian Democrats, said his party should find ways how to attract voters of the far-right Slovak National Party, a junior ruling faction.

Sme, page 2

PRESIDENT CONFIDENT ABOUT EURO

President Ivan Gasparovic said Slovakia would meet all Maastrich criteria as planned, but added the government should consider whether such conditions would be favourable for Slovaks.

Sme, page 6

SLOVAK RAILWAYS EYE $119 MLN LOAN

Slovak Railways seek a 3 billion crowns ($119.1 million) loan to finance the European Union's ISPA project.

Pravda, page 1

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=25.19 Slovak Crown)