Slovakia - Factors To Watch on July 18

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ITALY'S PM VISIT

Italy's Prime Minister Romano Prodi will visit Slovakia. News conference with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico at 0950 gmt.

ALMUNIA OPTIMISTIC EURO ZONE GROWTH FCAST TO BE UPPED

European Union Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said on Tuesday that favourable data could lead to an upward revision of the euro zone growth outlook for 2007.

[ID:nL17534215] [RTRS-EU-EUR-WEU-SK]

EU'S ALMUNIA-I HOPE SLOVAKIA WILL GET EURO GO-AHEAD

European Union Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said on Tuesday he hopes Slovakia will get the green light to join the euro zone in 2009, though work remains on cutting public deficits.

[ID:nL17689686] [RTRS-EUR-EU-PLCY-SK]

CROWN EASES FROM 3-MONTH HIGHS VS EURO

The Slovak crown eased on Tuesday from a three-month peak against the euro, after a six-day rally pushed the unit close to levels, which had triggered central bank interventions in March, dealers said.

[ID:nL17818703] [RTRS-MMT-FRX-SK]

CBANK DRAINS SKK 140.4 BLN IN REPO TENDER

The Slovak central bank (NBS) accepted all bids in a regular two-week repo tender on Tuesday, draining 140.372 billion crowns ($5.84 billion) from the market.

[ID:nL17625394] [RTRS-MMT-CEN-INT-SK]

PRESS DIGEST

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HIGHWAY TOLL COST $832 MLN

The construction and maintenance of Slovakia's highway toll system, which is set to be launched in 2009, will cost up to 20 billion crowns ($832.3 million). Provider of the system, to be chosen in a tender, will get a 13-year contract and it is expected to build the system within one year.

Pravda, page 14

RECORD HEAT-WAVE

Eight of ten Slovakia's meteorological stations reported record heat temperatures on Tuesday, with the southern town of Hurbanovo booking the highest temperature with 38 grade Celsius.

Sme, page 1

POLAND'S PERN EYES TRANSPETROL STAKE

Polish pipeline operator PERN is interested in buying the 49 percent stake in Slovakia's pipeline operator Transpetrol that is expected to be auctioned off as part of assets of the stricken oil firm YUKOS, Polish daily Dziennik reported.

Sme, page 6

EURO INFO TENDER

The finance ministry has launched the third attempt to pick a provider for the euro information campaign. The first two tenders were called off due to objections by some participants.

Sme, page 6

SCHENGEN ENTRY

A European Union evaluation report on Slovakia's readiness to enter the Schengen borderless area showed gradual improvement, Prime Minister Robert Fico said. The EU will chceck Slovak airports and info-systems in September.

Hospodarske Noviny, page 2

PRIVATE HOSPITALS CUT DEBT

Private hospitals have cut their debt by 39 million crowns in the past six months, while state-owned hospitals increased debts by 148 million crowns, the state-run social insurer said.

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:

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($1=24.03 Slovak Crown)