"We have to strengthen cooperation among the mentioned Slovenian companies to form a holding and then find a strategic partner," Černač said about the plans for a logistics holding that failed under the previous government.

The minister pointed to the delays in the modernisation of the railways infrastructure and to the danger of transport roots circumventing Slovenia - on the fifth as well as tenth pan-European transport corridors - as the biggest strategic danger for the country.

While in favour of upgrading the existing railway track to the Koper port, Černač said that the second track
between Divača and Koper as presently planned would take too long to build and make the port lose its competitive edge.

"We don't need great speeds in this section but rather an increased capacity in terms of the number of trains," he said, explaining that the first phase of modernisation, concluded by 2015, could increase the number of trains per day from 72 to 82.

"The goal for the second track was 130 trains a day, which we are trying to secure with fewer funds. This of course doesn't mean that we have entirely dismissed the second track as a development opportunity, but we need to secure greater transport capacities sooner," Černač said, pointing out that his predecessor had planned for the second track to be ready by 2022.

While announcing a focus on the fifth railway corridor for now, he also highlighted the missing motorway link to Gruškovje (NE) - useful especially for tourists headed for Croatia - as a priority.

Černač said that toll station barriers, redundant on existing motorway sections since the introduction of toll stickers, would be removed by the end of the year.

As regards a potential second reactor at the Krško nuclear plant, the minister said it was very important for Slovenia. "If we go about it the right way, this will be an opportunity for Slovenia and at the same time secure long-term and stable supply with clean energy."