The government cancelled the planned sale of 50 percent of NLB earlier this month, saying the suggested sales price was too low.

Slovenia promised to sell 50 percent of NLB this year and another 25 percent in 2018 in exchange for the European Commission's approval of state aid to the bank in 2013.

Erman told a news conference that talks with the Commission were ongoing and that he was due to meet EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager early next month to discuss the matter.

The Commission has not said what steps it could take regarding the cancelled sale of NLB but analysts expect Slovenia will push for the privatisation to be put off for several years.

Reuters