Slovenia would assist by assuming some of France's duties in international missions in Mali and the Central African Republic.

France's request was confirmed on Friday by the Slovenian Foreign Ministry, which added that Slovenia was considering the proposal and that the decision on possible assistance would be taken by the government.

France has asked EU member states for assistance on the basis of the mutual defence clause in the Lisbon Treaty, which allows assistance with all available means to a member state under attack. The proposal was confirmed by EU defence ministers on Tuesday.

"Slovenia's possible assistance relates primarily to the strengthening of the French security elements in the existing EU or UN missions in Mali or the Central African Republic," the ministry said.

Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec said that he had already spoken to French Ambassador Pierre-Francois Mourier about the possibilities for Slovenia helping France in international missions.

"The agreement is that we could perhaps help with instructors in Mali. We are thinking about sending five instructors there as part of the EU operation, which has been already launched," Erjavec said. Slovenia currently has three instructors in the Mali mission.

The foreign minister stressed that the decision would be made after today's government meeting on the refugee crisis, chaired by Prime Minister Miro Cerar.