Zakon o ratifikaciji Finančne pogodbe med Republiko Slovenijo in Evropsko investicijsko banko (Slovenija - projekt sektorja železniškega prometa) (MFEIBŽ)

Na podlagi druge alinee prvega odstavka 107. člena in prvega odstavka 91. člena Ustave Republike Slovenije izdajam

Ratificira se Finančna pogodba med Republiko Slovenijo in Evropsko investicijsko banko (Slovenija – projekt sektorja železniškega prometa), sklenjena v Luxembourgu 18. novembra 2003.

Besedilo finančne pogodbe se v izvirniku v angleškem jeziku in prevodu v slovenskem jeziku glasi:

Predsednik Državnega zbora Republike Slovenije Borut Pahor l.r. 

EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK
SLOVENIA – RAILWAY TRANSPORT SECTOR PROJECT
                              FI Nr:
                              Agora Nº: 2002 0040

FINANCE CONTRACT
    between
    REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA
    and
    EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK
    Ljubljana, 12 November 2003
    Luxembourg, 18 November 2003

THIS CONTRACT IS MADE BETWEEN:
    Republic of Slovenia, acting through the Ministry of Finance, having its office at Župančičeva 3, 1502 Ljubljana, Slovenia, represented by Dr. Dušan Mramor, Minister of Finance
    hereinafter called: the "Borrower"
    of the first part, and
    European Investment Bank having its Head Office at 100 boulevard Konrad Adenauer, Luxembourg-Kirchberg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, represented by Mr. Cormac Murphy, Head of Division and Mr. Gian Domenico Spota, Principal Counsel
    hereinafter called: the "Bank"
    of the second part.

WHEREAS:

1. The Council of the European Union invited the Bank to renew its pre-accession facility and the Board of Governors of the European Investment Bank authorised the granting of loans from the Bank’s own resources for investment projects in Malta, Cyprus and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe having applied to the European Union with a view to adhering to it.
    2. A Framework Agreement concerning the financial cooperation between the Bank and Slovenia (hereinafter the Framework Agreement) was signed by Slovenia on 1 December 1997 and by the Bank on 15 December 1997.
    3. Within the framework of a six-year priority programme for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the national railway network the Borrower undertakes sub-projects (hereinafter the "Sub-Projects") to improve travel times, safety, comfort and reliability of railway services as well as to promote an environmentally friendly mode of transport (hereinafter collectively called the “Project”) as more particularly described in the technical description set out in Schedule A. The Sub-projects are selected for ISPA financing and located along the Pan-European corridors V and X. The Sub-projects shall be carried out by the Railway Transport Agency (hereinafter “RTA”).
    4. The total cost of the Project as estimated by the Bank is EUR 68 000 000 million (sixty eight million euro) including VAT, contingencies and interest during construction.
    5. The total cost of the Project is intended to be financed, inter alia, with an ISPA grant (hereinafter the “ISPA Grant”) in an amount equivalent to EUR 28 million and with EIB financing in an amount equivalent to EUR 34 million.
    6. The Bank, being satisfied that the financing of the Project comes within the scope of its functions and having regard to the matters recited above, has decided to give effect to the Borrower's request for a loan in an amount equivalent to EUR 34 million.
    7. Execution of this contract (hereinafter the “Contract”) by the Borrower has been duly authorised (Attachment 1).
    8. References herein to "Articles", "Recitals", "Paragraphs", "Sub-paragraphs", “Indents”, "Schedules” and "Attachment" are references respectively to articles, recitals, paragraphs, sub-paragraphs, indents, schedules and annexes to this Contract.

NOW THEREFORE it is hereby agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1

Disbursement

01.01  Amount of Credit
       By this Contract the Bank establishes in favour of the Borrower, and the
       Borrower accepts, a credit (hereinafter the "Credit") in an amount
       equivalent to EUR 34 000 000 (thirty four million euro), for the sole
       purpose of part financing the Project.
1.02   Disbursement Procedures
       A.  The Credit shall be available for drawing by the Borrower in one
           tranche (hereinafter referred as the "Tranche") of up to an amount
           equivalent to EUR 34 million.
       B.  Disbursement of the Tranche shall be made upon written request
           (hereinafter referred to as a "Request") from the Borrower specifying:
           (a) the amount requested for disbursement under the Tranche;
           (b) the currency in which the Borrower prefers the Tranche to be
               disbursed, being a currency referred to in Paragraph 1.03;
           (c) whether the Tranche is to bear a fixed rate of interest
               (hereinafter referred to as “Fixed-Rate Tranche” as defined in Sub
               paragraph 3.01A) or a variable rate of interest (hereinafter
               referred to as “Variable-Rate Tranche” as defined in Sub-paragraph
               3.01B);
           (d) the applicable interest rate, if any, previously indicated by the
               Bank without commitment, determined in accordance with Paragraph
               3.01;
           (e) the Borrower’s preferred repayment terms, such terms being chosen
               in accordance with Paragraph 4.01; and
           (f) the preferred date for disbursement, it being understood that the
               Bank may disburse the Tranche up to four calendar months from the
               date of the Request.
           No Request may be made later than 31 December 2004. Subject to the
           proviso to Sub-paragraph 1.02C, each Request is irrevocable.
       C.  Between fifteen and ten days before the date of disbursement of the
           Tranche the Bank shall, if the Request conforms to Sub-paragraphs 1.02A
           and B and subject to Paragraphs 1.04 and 1.07, deliver to the Borrower
           a notice (hereinafter a "Disbursement Notice") which shall:
           (a) confirm the amount and currency of the Tranche specified in the
               Request;
           (b) confirm whether the Tranche shall be a Fixed-Rate Tranche or a
               Variable-Rate Tranche;
           (c) specify the interest rate determined pursuant to Sub-paragraph
               3.01A. or during the first Reference Period pursuant to Sub
               paragraph 3.01B.;
           (d) specify the repayment terms applicable to the Tranche; and
           (e) specify the date of disbursement of the Tranche.
           Provided that if one or more elements specified in the Disbursement
           Notice does not conform to the corresponding element in the Request,
           the Borrower may, within three Luxembourg business days following
           receipt of the Disbursement Notice, revoke the Request by notice to the
           Bank and thereupon the Request and the Disbursement Notice shall be of
           no effect.
       D.  Disbursement of the Tranche shall be made to such bank account in the
           name of the Borrower as the Borrower shall notify to the Bank not less
           than ten days before the date of disbursement.
1.03   Currency of Disbursement
       Subject to availability, the Bank shall disburse the Tranche in the
       currency for which the Borrower has expressed a preference. The currency of
       disbursement shall be the euro, a currency of one of the Member States of
       the Bank not participating in the third stage of EMU or any other currency,
       which is widely traded on the principal foreign exchange markets and which,
       in case of a Variable Rate Tranche is a currency which the Bank disposes of
       at a variable-rate funding.
       For the calculation of the sum to be disbursed in a currency other than
       euro, the Bank shall apply the reference exchange rates computed and
       published by the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, or failing which the
       exchange rates prevailing on any other financial market chosen by the Bank,
       on such day within fifteen days before the date of disbursement as the Bank
       shall decide.
1.04   Conditions of Disbursement
       A.  The disbursement of the Tranche pursuant to Paragraph 1.02 shall be
           subject to the fulfilment of the following conditions to the
           satisfaction of the Bank, namely that before the date of the Request:
           (a) the Attorney General of the Borrower shall have issued a favourable
               legal opinion in the English language satisfactory to the Bank on
               the due execution of this Contract by the Borrower and on the
               relevant documentation;
           (b) the Borrower shall have furnished to the Bank evidence of the
               authority of the person or persons authorised to sign the Request
               and the authenticated specimen signature of such person or persons;
               and
           (c) the Bank shall have received the details of a person appointed by
               the Ministry of Transport of Slovenia and satisfactory to the Bank,
               in accordance with Paragraph 6.08.
       B.  If a Request for the disbursement of the Tranche is made by the
           Borrower before receipt by the Bank of evidence satisfactory to it that
           such conditions of this Paragraph 1.04 have been fulfilled, such
           Request shall be deemed to have been received by the Bank on the date
           the conditions shall have been completed.
1.05   Deferment Commission
       If disbursement of the Tranche is deferred at the request of the Borrower
       (with the consent of the Bank), or by reason of the non-fulfilment of a
       condition of disbursement, the Borrower shall pay deferment commission on
       the undisbursed portion of the Tranche at an annual rate of 1%, calculated
       from the originally specified disbursement date to the actual disbursement
       date, or if the Tranche is not (wholly) disbursed, to the date of annulment
       or cancellation of the Tranche. The request for deferral must be received
       by the Bank at least eight days before the original disbursement date. Such
       commission shall accrue from day to day and shall be payable on each
       quarterly date specified in Paragraph 5.03.
1.06   Annulment of Credit
       If the cost of the Project should fall short of the figure stated in the
       Recitals, the Bank may, by notice to the Borrower, annul the undisbursed
       portion of the Credit in proportion to the shortfall.
 
       The Borrower may at any time, by notice to the Bank, in whole or in part
       annul any undisbursed portion of the Credit.
 
       If the Borrower annuls the Tranche and the relevant Request made by the
       Borrower has not been revoked pursuant to the provisio of Sub-paragraph
       1.02C, it shall pay a commission calculated on the amount annulled at a
       flat rate equal to half the rate of interest specified in the respective
       Disbursement Notice. Such commission shall be payable in addition to any
       commission payable under Paragraph 1.05.
 
       The Bank may annul, by notice to the Borrower, any part of the Credit in
       respect of which no disbursement has been made by 30 April 2005.
1.07   Cancellation and Suspension of Credit
       The Bank may, by notice to the Borrower, cancel the undisbursed portion of
       the Credit at any time and with immediate effect:
       (a)  following the occurrence of any event mentioned in Sub-Paragraph
            10.01A or B; or
       (b)  if exceptional circumstances shall arise which adversely affect the
            Bank's access to national or international capital markets,
       provided that the Bank shall not be entitled to cancel, on grounds of case
       (b), any Tranche which has been the subject of a Disbursement Notice.
 
       Alternatively, if the Bank is of the opinion that a situation described in
       Indent (a) and (b) has arisen and is temporary, it may by notice to the
       Borrower suspend the undisbursed portion of the Credit. In such case, the
       suspension shall continue until, following a further Request, the Bank is
       again in a position to issue a Disbursement Notice. Suspension shall not
       imply any extension of the annulment date pursuant to Paragraph 1.06.
 
       The Credit shall be considered as cancelled if the Bank demands repayment
       under Article 10.
 
       If the Credit is cancelled other than by reason of the circumstances
       mentioned under Indent (b) above, the Borrower shall pay a commission on
       the cancelled amount of the undisbursed Tranche which has been the subject
       of a Disbursement Notice, at an annual rate of 0.75%, calculated from the
       date of the relevant Disbursement Notice to the date of cancellation.
 
       Such commission shall be payable in addition to any commission payable
       under Article 1.06.
1.08   Currency of Commissions
       Commissions due from the Borrower to the Bank under this Article 1 shall be
       calculated and payable in euro.

ARTICLE 2

The Loan

2.01   Amount of the Loan
       The loan (hereinafter called the "Loan") shall comprise the aggregate of
       the amounts disbursed by the Bank, as notified by the Bank pursuant to
       Paragraph 2.04.
2.02   Currency of Repayments
       The repayment of the Loan under Article 4 or, as the case may be, Article
       10 shall be effected in the currency disbursed.
2.03   Currency of Interest and Other Charges
       Interest and other charges payable under Articles 3, 4 and 10 shall be
       calculated and be payable proportionally in the currency in which the Loan
       is repayable.
 
       Any other payment shall be made in the currency specified by the Bank
       having regard to the currency of the expenditure to be reimbursed by means
       of that payment.
2.04   Notification by the Bank
       After disbursement of the Tranche, the Bank shall deliver to the Borrower a
       summary statement showing the amount, currency, disbursement date,
       repayment schedule and the fixed or prevailing variable rate of and for the
       Tranche.

ARTICLE 3

Interest

3.01   Rate of Interest
       A. The outstanding balance of the Fixed-Rate Tranche shall bear interest at
          the rate specified in the Disbursement Notice relative thereto, which
          rate shall be the interest rate applied by the Bank at the date of issue
          of the Disbursement Notice, in accordance with procedures from time to
          time laid down by its board of directors, to loans denominated in the
          relevant currency and granted by the Bank to its borrowers on the same
          repayment terms and on the same terms for the payment of interest as the
          Tranche in question.
          Interest on the Fixed-Rate Tranche shall be payable semi-annually in
          arrears on the dates specified in Paragraph 5.03 Indent (a), commencing
          on the first such date following the date of disbursement of that
          Tranche.
       B. The interest rate applicable to the amount outstanding under the
          Variable-Rate Tranche shall be the Interest Rate from time to time
          applicable to each Reference Period pursuant to the following
          definitions.
 
          For the purpose hereof:
          (a) the “Interest Rate”:
                 (i) shall be the interest rate determined by the Bank for each
                     successive Reference Period in accordance with procedures
                     from time to time laid down by its board of directors in
                     relation to loans granted by it at variable interest rates
                     and financed out of Relevant Resources, provided, however
                     that it shall not exceed by more than 0.13% (13 basis points)
                     the three-month interest rate offered in the principal
                     interbank market of the relevant currency (for the US Dollar
                     in the London interbank market and for the euro in the euro
                     zone interbank market), as selected by the Bank;
                 (ii)  shall be the flat Interbank Rate, if the date of
                     disbursement of the Variable-Rate Tranche is not a date of
                     commencement of a Reference Period and for the duration only
                     of the first interest period; and
                 (iii) shall be notified as such by the Bank to the Borrower and
                     the Financial Manager within ten days following the date of
                     commencement of the Reference Period to which it applies;
          (b) “Interbank Rate” means:
                 (i) in respect of any interest period of one month or more, the
                     rate of interest for interbank deposits of a period being the
                     number of whole months corresponding to the duration of such
                     interest period; and
                 (ii)  in respect of any interest period of less than a month, the
                     rate of interest for interbank deposits for a period of one
                     month,
                 offered in the principal interbank market of the relevant
                 currency (for the US Dollar in the London interbank market and
                 for the euro in the euro-zone interbank market), as selected by
                 the Bank;
          (c) "Reference Period" means a period of three months, commencing on 15
              March, 15 June, 15 September or 15 December of any year; and
          (d) "Relevant Resources" means borrowings and other resources
              denominated in the currencies referred to in Paragraph 1.03 and
              raised on such markets as the Bank may from time to time select for
              the purpose of funding loans made by it in such currencies and at
              variable interest rates.
          Interest on a Variable Rate Tranche shall be payable quarterly in
          arrears on the dates specified in Paragraph 5.03 Indent (b), commencing
          on the first such date following the date of disbursement of that
          Tranche.
3.02   Interest on Overdue Sums
       Without prejudice to Article 10 and by way of exception to Paragraph 3.01,
       interest shall accrue from day to day on any overdue sum payable under the
       terms of this Contract in any currency, from its due date to the date of
       its payment, at a rate equal to the higher of:
       (a) the sum of: (i) 0.25% (25 basis points); and (ii) the rate from time to
           time applicable under Paragraph 3.01 to the Tranche; and
       (b) the sum of: (i) the rate of interest for interbank deposits for a
           period of one month offered in the principal interbank market of the
           relevant currency (for the US Dollar in the London interbank market and
           for the euro in the euro-zone interbank market), as chosen by the Bank;
           and (ii) 2% (200 basis points) per annum. For the purposes of this
           Indent (b), the interest periods of reference shall consist of
           successive periods of one month, commencing on the due date of the
           overdue sum.
       Such interest shall be payable in the same currency as the overdue sum on
       which it accrues.

ARTICLE 4

Repayment

4.01   Normal Repayment
       The Borrower shall repay the Tranche on the dates indicated in the
       Disbursement Notice in equal principal instalments in accordance with the
       terms of the repayment schedule specified in the relevant statement
       mentioned in Paragraph 2.04 (which schedule shall form part of this
       Contract) provided that:
       (a) the first repayment date shall fall not later than the first semi
           annual date specified in Paragraph 5.03 falling immediately after the
           fourth anniversary of the date of disbursement of the Tranche;
       (b) the last repayment date shall not fall prior to the first date
           specified in Paragraph 5.03 falling immediately after the fourth
           anniversary of the date of disbursement of the Tranche nor later than
           the nearest semi-annual date specified in Paragraph 5.03 immediately
           preceding the fifteenth anniversary of such date of disbursement.
4.02   Voluntary Prepayment
       A.  The Borrower may prepay all or part of the Loan upon giving thirty
           days' written notice (hereinafter a "Prepayment Notice") specifying the
           amount (the "Prepayment Amount") to be prepaid and the proposed date of
           prepayment (the "Prepayment Date"), which shall be a date specified in
           Paragraph 5.03 Indent (a) for a Fixed-Rate Tranche and Paragraph 5.03
           Indent (b) for a Variable-Rate Tranche (each a "Payment Date"). In the
           case of Fixed-Rate Tranches prepayment shall be subject to the payment
           by the Borrower of the compensation, if any, due to the Bank in
           accordance with the provisions of Sub-paragraphs B and C below.
       B.  The amount of compensation due on a Fixed-Rate Tranche shall be the
           amount of the shortfall in interest incurred by the Bank in respect of
           each year ending on successive Payment Dates falling after the
           Prepayment Date calculated in the manner stated in the following Sub
           paragraph and discounted in accordance with Sub-paragraph C.
 
       The amount of the shortfall shall be calculated as the amount by which:
              (x)  the interest that would have been payable during that year on
                   the prepaid part of the Loan
              exceeds
              (y)  the interest which would have been so payable during that year
                   if calculated at the Reference Rate; for which purpose the
                   "Reference Rate" means the rate of interest (reduced by 15
                   (fifteen) basis points) which the Bank determines on the date
                   falling one month prior to the Prepayment Date to be the
                   standard rate for a loan quoted by the Bank in the relevant
                   currency, having the same financial characteristics as the
                   loan, in particular the same periodicity for the payment of
                   interest, the same remaining life to maturity and the same type
                   of repayment profile.
       C.  Each amount so calculated shall be discounted to the Prepayment Date by
           applying a discount rate equal to the rate determined pursuant to
           indent (y) of Sub-paragraph 4.02B.
       D.  The Bank shall give notice to the Borrower of the compensation due or,
           as the case may be, of the absence of compensation by 12:00 Luxembourg
           time on a business day in Luxembourg and Ljubljana following delivery
           of a Prepayment Notice. If by 17:00. Luxembourg time on the date of the
           notification (if that was given by 12:00 or otherwise by 12:00 next
           business day in Luxembourg and Ljubljana) the Borrower fails to confirm
           in writing its intention to effect prepayment on the terms notified by
           the Bank, the Prepayment Notice shall be of no effect. Save as
           aforesaid, the Borrower shall be obliged to effect payment in
           accordance with the Prepayment Notice, together with accrued interest
           on the Prepayment Amount as well as any sum due under this Paragraph
           4.02.
4.03   Compulsory Prepayment
       A.  If the Borrower voluntarily prepays a part or the whole of any other
           loan originally contracted for a term of more than five years, the Bank
           may demand prepayment of such proportion of the amount of the Loan then
           outstanding as the prepaid sum bears to the aggregate outstanding
           amount of all such loans.
 
           The Bank shall address its demand, if any, to the Borrower within four
           weeks of receipt of the relevant notice under Sub-paragraph 8.02 (b)
           (i). Any sum demanded by the Bank shall be paid, together with accrued
           interest, on the date indicated by the Bank, which date shall not
           precede the date of prepayment of the other loan.
 
           Prepayment of a loan by means of a new loan having a term at least as
           long as the unexpired term of the loan prepaid shall not be considered
           to be a prepayment.
       B.  If the total cost of the Project should fall substantially short of the
           figure stated in the Recitals, the Bank may in proportion to the
           shortfall demand prepayment of the Loan.
       C.  If disbursement of the ISPA Grant is suspended, cancelled or if the
           Borrower is required to repay the ISPA Grant in respect of any of the
           Sub-projects, the Bank may demand the Borrower to consult with it. Such
           consultation shall take place within thirty days from the date of the
           Bank’s request.
 
           If the Bank in its full discretion decides that the reasons for ISPA’s
           demand for suspension, cancellation or repayment have, or are likely to
           have, a material adverse effect on the future implementation of the
           Project by the Borrower, then the Bank may request the Borrower to
           prepay the Loan together with accrued interest and the indemnity
           payment, if any, calculated in accordance with Sub-paragraph 4.02 B and
           C. The Borrower shall effect payment of the amount demanded on the date
           indicated by the Bank, such date being a date falling not less than
           thirty days from the date of the demand.

ARTICLE 5

Payments

5.01   Place of Payment
       Each sum payable by the Borrower under this Contract shall be paid to the
       respective account notified by the Bank to the Borrower in written form.
       The Bank shall indicate the account not less than fifteen days before the
       due date for the first payment by the Borrower and shall notify any change
       of account not less than fifteen days before the date of the first payment
       to which the change applies.
 
       This period of notice does not apply in the case of payment under Article
       10.
5.02   Calculation of Payments relating to a Fraction of a Year
       Any amount due by way of interest, commission or otherwise from the
       Borrower under this Contract, and calculated in respect of any fraction of
       a year, shall be calculated:
       (a)  on the basis of a year of three hundred and sixty days and:
            (i)  in respect of a Fixed-Rate Tranche a month of thirty days;
            (ii) in respect of a Variable-Rate Tranche the number of days elapsed;
                 or
       (b)  in respect of a Variable-Rate Tranche expressed in pounds sterling
            (GBP), on the basis of a year of three hundred and sixty-five days and
            the number of days elapsed.
5.03   Dates of Payment
       Sums due:
       (a)  semi-annually under this Contract are payable to the Bank on 15 March
            and 15 September in each year; and
       (b)  quarterly under this Contract are payable to the Bank on the 15 March,
            15 June, 15 September and 15 December in each year.
       Any payment due on a day which is not a Business Day shall be payable on
       the nearest succeeding Business Day. “Business Day” means a day on which
       banks are open for business in the financial centre of the country whose
       national currency is the currency of the amount due provided that, in the
       case of the euro, Business Day means a day on which credit or transfer
       instructions in euro are processed through the euro settlement system
       entitled Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Express Transfer System
       (“TARGET”).
 
       Other sums due hereunder are, if not specified otherwise, payable within
       seven days of receipt by the Borrower of the demand made by the Bank.
 
       A sum due from the Borrower shall be deemed paid when it is received by the
       Bank.

ARTICLE 6

Particular Undertakings

6.01   Use of Loan and other Funds
       The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loan and the other funds
       mentioned in the financing plan described in the Recitals exclusively for
       the financing of the Project as described in the Technical Description.
6.02   Completion of the Project
       The Borrower undertakes to carry out the Project in accordance with, and to
       complete it by the date envisaged in the Technical Description, as it may
       be modified from time to time with the approval of the Bank.
6.03   Increased Cost of the Project
       If the cost of the Project exceeds the estimated figure set out in the
       Recitals, the Borrower shall obtain the finance to fund the excess cost
       without recourse to the Bank, so as to enable it to complete the Project.
       The plans for funding the excess cost shall be submitted in a timely manner
       to the Bank’s approval.
6.04   Tendering Procedure
       The Borrower shall ensure that equipment will be purchased, services will
       be secured and works shall be ordered for the Project, so far as
       appropriate and in line with relevant EU procedures, by international
       tender open to nationals of the member states of the European Union and of
       Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
       Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta, Cyprus and Turkey.
6.05   Insurance
       So long as the Loan is outstanding, the Borrower shall ensure that measures
       for insuring all works and property forming part of the Project will be
       taken in accordance with normal practice for similar works of public
       interest in the Republic of Slovenia.
6.06   Maintenance
       So long as the Loan is outstanding, the Borrower shall ensure that all
       property forming part of the Project will be maintained, repaired,
       overhauled, renewed and replaced, as required to keep it in good working
       order in accordance with its original concept.
6.07   Environmental Covenants
       So long as the Loan is outstanding, the Borrower shall ensure that:
       (a) the Project is implemented in conformity with the environmental laws
           and regulations applicable to it and, whenever applicable, with
           European Union standards related to environmental protection as they
           may be amended or modified, and that all necessary authorisations
           applicable thereto are secured and maintained;
       (b) all maintenance and rehabilitation works are carried out as well as all
           mitigating measures which may be necessary for the Project in
           conformity with good utility practice and the standards referred to in
           Indent (a) of this Paragraph are implemented and monitored; and
       (c) no materials or substances, which could have adverse effects on the
           environment, will be used in the implementation of the Project.
6.08   Assistance
       So long as the Loan is outstanding, the Borrower shall ensure that a
       contact person satisfactory to the Bank, who will act as a service point
       for the Bank regarding the implementation of the Project, is appointed by
       the Ministry of Transport.

ARTICLE 7

Security

7.01   Additional Security
       If the Borrower should hereafter grant to a third party any security
       interest over any of its assets for the performance of any of its external
       indebtedness or any preference or priority in respect thereof, the Borrower
       shall, if so required by the Bank, provide equivalent security interest to
       the Bank for the performance of its obligations under this Contract or
       grant the Bank equivalent preference or priority. The Borrower represents
       that no such security interest, preference or priority presently exists.

ARTICLE 8

Information and Visits

8.01   Information concerning the Project
       The Borrower shall:
       (a) deliver to the Bank: (i) at the latest six months after the signature
           of this Contract, copies of the monitoring reports regarding each Sub
           project in the form as drawn up for ISPA (including the semi-annual
           monitoring reports; and (ii) from time to time, any such further
           document or information concerning the financing, implementation and
           operation of the Project as the Bank may reasonably require;
       (b) submit for the approval of the Bank any material change to the general
           plans, timetable or expenditure programme for the Project, by relation
           to the disclosures made to the Bank prior to the signing of this
           Contract;
       (c) inform the Bank of any fact or event known to the Borrower, which
           reasonably may substantially prejudice or affect the conditions of
           execution or operation of the Project; and
       (d) retain in a single location the full terms of the work contracts, as
           well as all material documents pertaining to the procurement process
           and to the execution of such contracts, for inspection during six years
           from the conclusion of each such contract financed by means of the
           Loan.
8.02   Information concerning the Borrower
       The Borrower shall:
       (a) ensure that its records clearly show all operations relating to the
           financing and execution of the Project;
       (b)  ensure that the Bank is informed:
           (i)   immediately of any decision made by it for any reason or of any
                 fact, which obliges it, or any demand made to it to prepay any
                 loan originally granted for a term exceeding five years;
           (ii)  immediately of any intention on its part to create any security
                 interest, preference or priority pursuant to Paragraph 7.01; or
           (iii) generally of any fact or event which reasonably may prevent the
                 fulfilment of any obligation of the Borrower under this Contract.
       All documents and information are to be provided in English language.
8.03   Visits
       The Borrower shall permit persons designated by the Bank to visit the
       sites, installations and works comprising the Project and to conduct such
       checks as they may wish, and shall provide them with all necessary
       assistance for this purpose.

ARTICLE 9

Charges and Expenses

9.01   Taxes, Duties and Fees
       The Borrower shall pay all taxes, duties, fees and other impositions of
       whatsoever nature, including stamp duty and registration fees, arising out
       of the execution or implementation of this Contract or any related document
       and in the creation of any security for the Loan.
       The Borrower shall pay all principal, interest, commission and other
       amounts due under this Contract gross without deduction of any national or
       local impositions whatsoever; provided that, if the Borrower is obliged by
       law to make any such deduction, it will gross up the payment to the Bank so
       that after deduction, the net amount received by the Bank is equivalent to
       the sum due.
9.02   Other Charges
       The Borrower shall bear any professional, banking, transfer or exchange
       costs incurred in the execution or implementation of this Contract or
       related document, and in the creation of any security for the Loan.

ARTICLE 10

Prepayment upon an Event of Default

10.01  Right to demand Repayment
       The Borrower shall prepay the Loan or any part thereof forthwith upon
       demand being made therefor by the Bank:
       A. immediately:
          (a) if any written information or document given to the Bank by or on
              behalf of the Borrower in connection with the negotiation of this
              Contract or during its lifetime proves to have been incorrect in any
              material particular;
          (b) if the Borrower fails on due date to repay any part of the Loan, to
              pay interest thereon or to make any other payment to the Bank as
              herein provided;
          (c) if, following any default in relation thereto, the Borrower is
              required to prepay or discharge ahead of maturity any loan
              originally granted to it for a term exceeding five years;
          (d) if the Borrower fails to fulfil any financial obligation under any
              other loan made to it by the Bank from the resources of the Bank, or
              of the European Union;
          (e) if any distress, execution, sequestration or other process is levied
              or enforced upon any property forming part of the Project; or
       B. upon expiry of a reasonable period of time according to the provisions
          of this Contract and specified in a notice served by the Bank on the
          Borrower, without the matter being remedied to the satisfaction of the
          Bank:
          (a) if the Borrower fails to comply with any obligation under this
              Contract other than one mentioned in Sub-paragraph 10.01 A. (b); or
          (b) if any material fact stated in the Recitals substantially alters or
              proves erroneous and the alteration or error either prejudices the
              interests of the Bank as lender to the Borrower or adversely affects
              the implementation or operation of the Project.
10.02  Other Rights at Law
       Paragraph 10.01 shall not restrict any other right of the Bank at law to
       require prepayment of the Loan.
10.03  Damages
       A. In case of demand under Paragraph 10.01 applicable to a Fixed-Rate
          Tranche, the Borrower shall pay to the Bank an amount calculated as at
          the date of demand, as the greater of:
          (a) an amount calculated, according to the provisions of Sub-paragraphs
              4.02B and C, on the sum which has become due and payable, and with
              effect from the due date specified in the Bank's notice of demand;
              and
          (b) an amount calculated at the annual rate of 0.25% from the date of
              the demand to the respective date on which each instalment of the
              sum demanded would have been repayable but for the making of the
              demand.
       B. In case of demand under Paragraph 10.01 applicable to a Variable-Rate
          Tranche, the Borrower shall pay to the Bank a sum calculated as at the
          date of demand at an annual rate of 0.25% from the date of the demand to
          the respective date on which each instalment of the sum demanded would
          have been repayable but for the making of the demand.
10.04  Non-Waiver
       No failure or delay by the Bank in exercising any of its rights under this
       Article 10 shall be construed as a waiver of such right.
10.05  Application of Sums Received
       Sums received following a demand under Article 10 shall be applied first in
       payment of damages, commission and interest in that order and secondly in
       reduction of outstanding instalments in inverse order of maturity.

ARTICLE 11

Law and Jurisdiction

11.01  Law
       This Contract and its formation, construction and validity shall be
       governed by the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
11.02  Jurisdiction
       All disputes concerning this Contract shall be submitted to the Court of
       Justice of the European Communities.
 
       A decision of the Court given pursuant to this Sub-paragraph 11.02 shall be
       conclusive and binding on the parties without restriction or reservation.
 
       The parties to this Contract hereby waive any immunity from or right to
       object to the jurisdiction of the Court.
11.03  Evidence of Sums due
       In any legal action arising out of this Contract the certificate of the
       Bank as to any amount due to the Bank under this Contract shall be prima
       facie evidence of such amount in the absence of manifest error.
11.04  Entry into force
       This Contract shall enter into force upon confirmation by the Bank to the
       Borrower that it has received a certified copy of the instrument of
       ratification by the Borrower.

ARTICLE 12

Final Clauses

12.01  Notices
       Notices and other communications given hereunder shall be sent to the
       addresses mentioned under 1) below except that notices to the Borrower
       relating to litigation whether pending or threatened shall be sent to the
       address mentioned under 2) below where the Borrower elects domicile:
       – for the Borrower:  1)   Ministry of Finance
                                 Zupanciceva, 3
                                 1502 Ljubljana
                                 Slovenia;
                            2)   Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia
                                 179, Avenue Louise
                                 1050 Brussels
                                 Belgium;
       – for the Bank:      1)   100 boulevard Konrad Adenauer
                                 L-2950 Luxembourg-Kirchberg.
       Each party may, by notice to the other, change its addresses as set out
       above, provided that the address in 2) above may only be changed to another
       address within the European Union.
12.02  Form of Notice
       Notices and other communications, for which fixed periods are laid down in
       this Contract or which themselves fix periods binding on the addressee,
       shall be served by hand delivery, registered letter, telegram, telex or
       other means of transmission which affords evidence of receipt by the
       addressee. The date of registration or, as the case may be, the stated date
       of receipt of transmission shall be conclusive for the determination of a
       period.
12.03  Recitals, Schedule and Attachment
       The Recital, and the following Schedule form part of this Contract:
       Schedule A       Technical Description.
       The following Attachment is enclosed hereto:
       Attachment I     Authority of Signatories of the Borrower.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused this Contract to be executed in four originals in the English language, each page having been initialled by Ms. Maja Košak, on behalf of the Borrower and by Mr. Gian Domenico Spota, on behalf of the Bank.

Signed for and on behalf  REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA D. Mramor (s)
Signed for and on behalf of  EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK C. Murphy (s)   G.D. Spota (s)

This November 12, 2003, at Ljubljana,
This November 18, 2003, at Luxembourg.

SCHEDULE A

SLOVENIA – RAILWAY TRANSPORT SECTOR PROJECT

Technical Description

The Project consists of three Sub-projects that are also to be financed under an ISPA support programme. The various items to be financed consist, inter alia, of track upgrading, signalling improvements and remote control of fixed installations as follows:
     
    1) Renewal of cut Krizni vrh with renewal of line sections on the Zidani most- Maribor track
    This Sub-project consists of the following interventions:
    Krizni vrh cutting
    a. Rehabilitation of the walls of the cutting of 416 m including rehabilitation of the slopes
    b. Restoration of the track bed including drainage over the same length
    c. Renewal of the superelevation of the track between Km 563+346 and km 564+860
    Line section Policane to km 563+346
    – renewal of track foundations and superstructure
    Renewal of tracks in Povnikva Station
    – renewal of tracks 1,2,3 foundations and superstructure in or approaching the station.
     
    2) Modernisation of signalling and safety devices along the railway line Divaca – Koper
    This Sub-project consists of a modernisation of the signalling system on the single track line between Divaca and Koper to enable the line to be integrated with the joint Central Traffic Centre which will handle all Slovenian railway traffic in the future. The modernisation includes UPS power supply, points heaters, level crossing automation, information systems and other works and will improve safety, reduce maintenance costs, increase line capacity and facilitate staff reductions.
     
    3) The railway line Ljubljana – Maribor; upgrading for higher speed (1st and 2nd phase)
    The works involve 7 points of priority intervention selected by an analysis using a track geometry car and visual inspection. The interventions include replacement of the track to UIC 60, switches to UIC60-300-6, rehabilitation of the substructure and upgrading of the signalling, power and safety equipment at Stations Kresnice, Sava, Trbovlje, Hoce, Line section Hoce Maribor, Station Maribor Tezno, and line Station Maribor Tenzo to Maribor.
    The Project is expected to be completed by December 2004

EVROPSKA INVESTICIJSKA BANKA
SLOVENIJA – PROJEKT SEKTORJA ŽELEZNIŠKEGA PROMETA
                              FI št.:
                              Agora Nº: 2002 0040

TA POGODBA JE SKLENJENA MED:

Republiko Slovenijo prek Ministrstva za finance s sedežem na Župančičevi 3, 1502 Ljubljana, ki ga zastopa dr. Dušan Mramor, minister za finance,

v nadaljevanju: "posojilojemalka",

na eni strani in

Evropsko investicijsko banko s sedežem na 100 boulevard Konrad Adenauer, Luxembourg-Kirchberg, Veliko vojvodstvo Luksemburg, ki jo zastopata g. Cormac Murphy, vodja oddelka, in g. Gian Domenico Spota, glavni svetovalec,

v nadaljevanju:   "banka",

na drugi strani.

GLEDE NA TO:

1. da je Svet Evropske unije pozval banko, da obnovi svojo predpristopno pomoč, in je Odbor guvernerjev banke odobril dodelitev posojil iz svojih sredstev za investicijske projekte na Malti in Cipru ter v državah Srednje in Vzhodne Evrope, ki so zaprosile za članstvo v Evropski uniji;

2. da je Okvirni sporazum o finančnem sodelovanju med banko in Slovenijo (v nadaljevanju okvirni sporazum) Slovenija podpisala 1. decembra 1997, banka pa 15. decembra 1997;

3. da posojilojemalka v okviru šestletnega programa prednostnih nalog za obnovo in posodobitev železniškega omrežja v državi izvaja podprojekte (v nadaljevanju: "podprojekti") za hitrejše potovalne čase, večjo varnost, udobje in zanesljivost železniških storitev ter za uveljavljanje okolju prijaznega načina prometa (v nadaljevanju skupaj imenovano "projekt"), kot je podrobneje opisano v tehničnem opisu v Prilogi A. Podprojekti so izbrani za financiranje po programu infrastrukturnih naložb v promet in okolje (ISPA) in so na V. in X. vseevropskem koridorju. Podprojekte izvaja Agencija za železniški promet (v nadaljevanju "AŽP");

4. da skupni stroški projekta znašajo po oceni banke 68 000 000 EUR (oseminšestdeset milijonov evrov), vključno z DDV, nepredvidenimi stroški in obrestmi med gradnjo;

5. da naj bi se skupni stroški projekta med drugim financirali iz nepovratnih sredstev ISPA (v nadaljevanju “sredstva ISPA”) v znesku v protivrednosti 28 milijonov EUR in s financiranjem EIB v znesku v protivrednosti 34 milijonov EUR;

6. da se je banka prepričala, da je financiranje projekta v okviru njene dejavnosti, in se ob upoštevanju zgoraj navedenega odločila ugoditi zaprosilu posojilojemalke za posojilo v znesku v protivrednosti 34 milijonov EUR;

7. da je posojilojemalka pravilno pooblaščena za podpis te pogodbe (v nadaljevanju “pogodba”);

8. da so sklicevanja v tej pogodbi na člene, uvodne navedbe, odstavke, pododstavke, točke, priloge in dodatke sklicevanja na člene, uvodne navedbe, odstavke, pododstavke, točke, priloge in dodatke k tej pogodbi,

JE s tem dogovorjeno naslednje:

1.01   Znesek kredita
       S to pogodbo banka daje v korist posojilojemalke in posojilojemalka
       sprejema kredit (v nadaljevanju “kredit”) v znesku v protivrednosti
       34 000 000 EUR (štiriintrideset milijonov evrov) za izključni namen delnega
       financiranja projekta.
1.02   Postopki izplačila
       A. Kredit je na voljo za črpanje posojilojemalki v eni tranši (v
          nadaljevanju "tranša") do zneska v protivrednosti 34 milijonov EUR.
       B. Izplačilo tranše se izvede na podlagi pisnega zaprosila (v nadaljevanju
          "zaprosilo") posojilojemalke, v katerem se navedejo:
          (a)  znesek, za katerega se prosi izplačilo po tej tranši;
          (b)  valuta, v kateri želi posojilojemalka, da se tranša izplača, pri
               čemer je to valuta, omenjena v odstavku 1.03;
          (c)  ali naj bo tranša obrestovana s stalno obrestno mero (pri čemer se
               taka tranša imenuje “tranša s stalno obrestno mero”, kot je
               opredeljena v pododstavku 3.01 A) ali spremenljivo obrestno mero
               (pri čemer se taka tranša imenuje “tranša s spremenljivo obrestno
               mero”, kot je opredeljena v pododstavku 3.01 B);
          (d)  veljavna obrestna mera, če je takšno obrestno mero banka predhodno
               navedla neobvezno kot obrestno mero, določeno v skladu z odstavkom
               3.01;
          (e)  želeni roki posojilojemalke za vračanje, če so bili ti roki izbrani
               v skladu z odstavkom 4.01, in
          (f)  želeni datum izplačila, pri čemer se razume, da lahko banka izplača
               tranšo v največ štirih koledarskih mesecih od datuma posameznega
               zaprosila.
          Nobeno zaprosilo ne sme biti predloženo po 31. decembru 2004. Ob
          upoštevanju pridržka k pododstavku 1.02 C je vsako zaprosilo
          nepreklicno.
       C. Od petnajst do deset dni pred datumom izplačila tranše pošlje banka, če
          je zaprosilo skladno s pododstavkoma 1.02 A in B in ob upoštevanju
          odstavkov 1.04 in 1.07, posojilojemalki obvestilo (v nadaljevanju
          “obvestilo o izplačilu”), v katerem:
          (a)  potrdi znesek in valuto tranše, navedene v zaprosilu;
          (b)  potrdi, ali bo to tranša s stalno obrestno mero ali tranša s
               spremenljivo obrestno mero;
          (c)  navede obrestno mero, določeno na podlagi pododstavka 3.01 A ali
               med prvim referenčnim obdobjem na podlagi pododstavka 3.01 B;
          (d)  določi pogoje odplačevanja, ki veljajo za to tranšo, in
          (e)  določi datum izplačila tranše.
          Če en ali več elementov, navedenih v obvestilu o izplačilu, ni skladen z
          ustreznim elementom v zaprosilu, lahko posojilojemalka v treh delovnih
          dneh v Luxembourgu po prejemu obvestila o izplačilu zaprosilo prekliče z
          obvestilom banki, nato pa zaprosilo in obvestilo o izplačilu nimata več
          nobenega učinka.
       D. Izplačilo tranše se izvede na tisti posojilojemalkin bančni račun, ki ga
          je posojilojemalka sporočila banki najmanj deset dni pred datumom
          izplačila.
1.03   Valuta izplačila
       Glede na razpoložljivost izplača banka tranšo v valuti, ki jo je
       posojilojemalka navedla kot želeno valuto. Valuta izplačila je evro, valuta
       ene od držav članic banke, ki ne sodelujejo v tretji fazi EMU, ali katera
       koli druga valuta, s katero se v večjem obsegu trguje na vodilnih
       mednarodnih finančnih trgih in ki jo ima banka na razpolago za financiranje
       po spremenljivi obrestni meri, če gre za tranšo s spremenljivo obrestno
       mero.
       Za izračun zneskov, ki se izplačajo v drugih valutah in ne evrih, uporabi
       banka referenčne menjalne tečaje, ki jih izračunava in objavlja Evropska
       centralna banka v Frankfurtu, sicer pa menjalne tečaje, ki veljajo na
       katerem koli drugem finančnem trgu po izbiri banke na dan v obdobju
       petnajstih dni pred datumom izplačila, kot se odloči banka.
1.04   Pogoji izplačila
       A. Za izplačilo tranše na podlagi odstavka 1.02 se zahteva za banko
          sprejemljiva izpolnitev naslednjih pogojev, in sicer da pred datumom
          zaprosila:
          (a)  državni pravobranilec posojilojemalke izda ugodno za banko
               sprejemljivo pravno mnenje v angleškem jeziku o tem, da je
               posojilojemalka pravilno podpisala to pogodbo in da je
               dokumentacija ustrezna;
          (b)  posojilojemalka dostavi banki dokazilo o pooblastilu osebe ali
               oseb, ki so pooblaščene za podpis zaprosila, ter overjen deponiran
               podpis te osebe ali oseb in
          (c)  banka prejme podrobne podatke o osebi, ki jo je v skladu z
               odstavkom 6.08 imenovalo Ministrstvo za promet Slovenije in je za
               banko sprejemljiva.
       B. Če posojilojemalka zaprosi za izplačilo tranše, preden je banka prejela
          dokaz, ki je zanjo sprejemljiv, da so pogoji iz odstavka 1.04
          izpolnjeni, se šteje, da je banka tako zaprosilo prejela na datum
          izpolnitve pogojev.
1.05   Provizija za odlog izplačila
       Če se izplačilo tranše odloži na zaprosilo posojilojemalke (s soglasjem
       banke) ali zato, ker niso bili izpolnjeni pogoji za izplačilo, plača
       posojilojemalka na neizplačani delež tranše provizijo za odlog izplačila po
       stopnji 1% na leto, izračunano od prvotno določenega datuma izplačila do
       dejanskega datuma izplačila, ali če tranša ni (v celoti) izplačana, do
       datuma razveljavitve ali preklica tranše. Banka mora prejeti zaprosilo za
       odlog izplačila vsaj osem dni pred prvotnim datumom izplačila. Takšna
       provizija teče od dneva do dneva in zapade v plačilo na vsak četrtletni
       datum, določen v odstavku 5.03.
1.06   Razveljavitev kredita
       Če bi bili stroški projekta nižji od zneska, navedenega v uvodnih navedbah,
       lahko banka z obvestilom posojilojemalki razveljavi neizplačani del kredita
       v sorazmerju z zmanjšanjem zneska.
 
       Posojilojemalka lahko kadar koli z obvestilom banki v celoti ali deloma
       razveljavi kateri koli neizplačani del kredita.
 
       Če posojilojemalka razveljavi tranšo in ustrezno zaprosilo posojilojemalke
       ni bilo preklicano v skladu s pridržkom iz pododstavka 1.02 C, plača
       provizijo, ki se izračuna od razveljavljenega zneska po pavšalni stopnji,
       enaki polovični obrestni meri, navedeni v ustreznem obvestilu o izplačilu.
       Takšna provizija se plača dodatno h kateri koli proviziji, ki jo je treba
       plačati po odstavku 1.05.
 
       Banka lahko z obvestilom posojilojemalki razveljavi kateri koli del
       kredita, ki ni izplačan do 30. aprila 2005.
1.07   Preklic in odlog kredita
       Banka lahko z obvestilom posojilojemalki prekliče neizplačani del kredita
       kadar koli in s takojšnim učinkom:
          (a)  ob kakršnem koli dogodku, omenjenem v pododstavku 10.01 A ali B,
               ali
          (b)  ob izrednih okoliščinah, ki neugodno vplivajo na dostop banke na
               nacionalne ali mednarodne trge kapitala,
       vendar pa banka nima pravice, da iz razlogov pod (b) prekliče katero koli
       tranšo, za katero je bilo že dano obvestilo o izplačilu.
 
       Druga možnost je, da lahko banka, če meni, da je prišlo do okoliščin,
       opisanih pod (a) ali (b), in so te začasne, z obvestilom posojilojemalki
       odloži črpanje neizplačanega dela kredita. V takem primeru odlog izplačila
       traja, dokler po izdaji naslednjega zaprosila banka znova ne izda obvestila
       o izplačilu. Odlog izplačila pa ne pomeni podaljšanja roka do datuma za
       razveljavitev kredita po odstavku 1.06.
 
       Šteje se, da je kredit preklican, če banka zahteva odplačilo po 10. členu.
 
       Če je kredit preklican iz drugih razlogov in ne zaradi okoliščin, omenjenih
       v točki (b) prvega odstavka tega člena, plača posojilojemalka provizijo na
       preklicani znesek neizplačane tranše, napovedane v obvestilu o izplačilu,
       po letni stopnji 0,75%, izračunano od datuma ustreznega obvestila o
       izplačilu do datuma preklica.
 
       Takšna provizija se plača dodatno h kateri koli proviziji, ki se plača po
       členu 1.06.
1.08   Valuta provizij
       Provizije, ki jih mora posojilojemalka plačati banki po tem 1. členu, se
       izračunajo in plačajo v evrih.