Leterme was glad that much of the programmes has already been realised, Erjavec noted, adding that an important message to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) was Friday's introduction of the fiscal rule in Slovenia's Constitution.

Leterme also welcomed the tightening of referendum rules in Slovenia, passed on Friday, as this was among the OECD's recommendations in its latest economic report, since referenda had been blocking key measures.

These constitutional changes and the deal reached with public sector trade unions on further cost-cutting mean for the OECD that Slovenia's chances to solve its problems without outside financial assistance has improved, the minister pointed out.

According to Erjavec, the OECD has high expectations for privatisation in Slovenia, and it welcomed the announcement that the government had slated the NKBM bank and 14 other companies to be sold soon.

The organisation also expects Slovenia to take on the salvaging of its ailing banking system as soon as possible with concrete measures, as this was its main recommendation for Slovenia.

The Slovenian foreign minister will meet OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria tomorrow, when Slovenia will also receive an assessment of its stability and reform programmes from the European Commission along with recommendations for further measures.

Erjavec told the STA he had received an unofficial confirmation at Monday's EU ministerial on Syria that Slovenia's programmes would be assessed favourably.