The Government of the Republic of Slovenia discussed the handover reports and focused on establishing the financial situation in various departments. The report findings will be presented to the social partners and opposition parties on Monday, 27 February 2012, at an extended meeting of the Economic and Social Council. When presenting the starting points for a new social agreement which is to be concluded by 20 June, a consensus on key steps must be reached with all relevant stakeholders, including agreement on structural adjustment which Slovenian needs to make to exit the crisis.

In addition, the Government also received exhaustive information about the construction of Unit 6 of the Šoštanj Power Plant (TEŠ 6) and decided that under certain conditions it is prepared to issue a government guarantee totalling 440 million euros.

After receiving exhaustive information about the construction of Unit 6 of Šoštanj Power Plant, the Government decided that it is prepared to assume the risk by issuing a government guarantee worth 440 million euros under the following conditions:

- the investor negotiates with all suppliers to lower the costs of the project

- before the guarantee is approved, a contract is signed between Premogovnik Velenje, the coal mine operator, and Šoštanj Power Plant regarding the long-term supply of lignite

- the investor ensures that the project will be completed according to the original schedule, ie. by 2016

- the investor ensures that all conditions making the project profitable in accordance with the Slovenian energy policy are met

- CO2 emissions are limited in accordance with the investment programme.

The Government guarantee is a prerequisite for approval of a 440-million euro loan by the EIB. The Government decided in favour of the guarantee because it is the most cost-effective way of completing the investment. Source: Government