(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 09 NOV - On Monday, EU finance ministers gave Slovenia final approval to reduce petrol and diesel excise duties below EU minimum levels for six months, according to Slovenian news agency STA. The authorisation will allow Ljubljana to reduce petrol excise from 41.759 cents to as little as 13.95 cents per litre, and diesel duty from 33 cents to 10.5 cents. The six-month period will begin when Slovenia receives formal notice of the decision. The government requested the exemption in July, citing rising energy costs as a source of concern for both consumers and businesses. Finance Minister Andrej Šircelj welcomed the decision, stating that any reductions would be based on market developments. However, the government has not announced any immediate duty reductions. (ANSA).