WEEK FROM 7 TO 13 JANUARY.

Monday 7 January

Council of Ministers

Opening Event of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (2008)

More: The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue will start with the opening event on 7 and 8 January 2008 at the Community level, prepared by Slovenia as the presiding EU country in cooperation with the European Commission. The event will also be the opening ceremony of the Slovenian EU Presidency.

The two-day programme will consist of two parts: the conference entitled Intercultural Dialogue as a Fundamental Value of the EU covering culture, media, education and economic development, prepared in cooperation with the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Primorska, and the grand opening ceremony at the Community level, prepared in cooperation with producer Barbara Hieng Samobor and the producer from Cankarjev dom.

Tuesday 8 January

Council of Ministers

Joint Meeting of the Slovenian Government and the European Commission

More: The meeting between the European Commission and the ministers of the country holding the Presidency of the EU Council is traditional introduction to each Presidency of the Council of the European Union. President and members of the European Commission will meet Prime Minister and members of the Slovenian Government at Brdo pri Kranju on 8 January 2008. President Barroso and other Commission members will visit Slovenia in order to get acquainted with the priority tasks of Slovenia's EU Presidency and exchange opinions with the Slovenian Government on topical developments in the European Union.

Political and Security Committee (PSC)

Court of Justice

Grand Chamber

09.30

Hearing C-524/06 Huber

Wednesday 9 January

European Parliament

Consumer Credit Directive - Seminar for Journalists

The consumer credit directive: Issues at stake and role of the European Parliament

The new proposed directive on consumer credit will be voted in Parliament on January 15 at second reading. The Internal Market committee has already adopted its position, and is now aiming to reach an agreement with the Council before the vote in plenary. With agreement or not, the House will vote in January.

The directive under discussion aims to reduce differences in the national legislation on consumer credit, to facilitate cross border loans, while safeguarding consumer interests. Mortgages or loans with the purpose of acquiring land or real estate are not included.

Contact: Paula Fernandez-Hervas, Press Service...