The ratings agency Fitch lowered credit ratings of five euro countries, among them Slovenia.

Slovenia's long-term issuer default rating (IDR) was downgraded by two notches to A from AA- with negative outlook, and its short-term IDR was downgraded by one notch to F1 from F1+.

Fitch said the downgrade reflected the "potential financing and monetary shocks" that the eurozone members face in light of the increasing divergence in economic, monetary and credit conditions and prospects.