This is a message to the people that agreement can be reached despite the differences and the deepening distrust. It does not solve the crisis but it prevents it from "deepening to dimensions that would jeopardise the interests of the state," said Pahor.

Pahor said he did not wish to interfere with the parties' "rights and obligations", but he wanted to contribute to them agreeing on political issues that are vital for the country.

Prime Minister Janez Janša voiced the hope after the meeting that the agreed measures would be adopted, which could happen next month provided that everyone sticks to the deal and the dispute with Croatia over Yugoslav-era bank deposits is resolved by then.

However, he was quick to point out that another issue - amending the Constitution with a balanced-budget rule - would have to be resolved as well after having been deferred last year.

By June Slovenia needs to meet the commitment it has made by ratifying the EU's fiscal compact, he said.

Whereas "a part of the political crisis" has been tackled at today's meeting, Janša emphasised that there had been "no conclusions" about the broader political crisis due to a lack of time.

"When the issue of what needs to be done and what is key for the country is on the table and early elections are a real possibility, those who talk about early elections every day backtrack," he said.

Janša reiterated his call that those who want a change of government should request a no-confidence vote, but there was "no big eagerness" for that at today's meeting.

Other party presidents were pleased with the meeting, though they acknowledged that the political crisis was not broached.

Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) president Karl Erjavec noted the atmosphere would have been "changed very quickly" if issues that had not been tentatively agreed before were to be raised.

Citizens' List (DL) president Gregor Virant meanwhile said it was vital that the president acts as "stabilizer" in the time of political instability. "Pahor raised the right issues," he said.

The party leaders also agreed, according to Pahor, to refrain from statements and actions that could incite intolerance and mutual distrust.

This comes in the aftermath of a much-criticised speech by Janša, in which he called for a determined stance against "left fascism".