The 2013 budget bill earmarks EUR 86.3m for the Foreign Ministry, which is an increase from EUR 79.5m this year. However, the minister told the committees that the bulk of the increase would go for Slovenia's membership fees in international organisations.

"Although the figures are higher, the ministry's budget is actually being cut, as an increase is planned for covering international obligations," Erjavec said.

He added that Slovenia had been in debt to international organisations for several years and the government wanted to gradually repay Slovenia's membership fees.

Last year, only EUR 8.2m were earmarked for international obligations, which means that unpaid fees piled up, he said. Some organisations have even threatened to strip Slovenia of its voting rights.

This year, EUR 15.8m has been earmarked for international obligations, while in 2013 and 2014 nearly EUR 20m are envisaged for the purpose each year.

Erjavec moreover expressed concern that the ministry would not have enough money to pay its employees in the coming years. The total funds for salaries are being cut by 10% in 2013. The ministry thus intends to cut the number of employees by 21, mostly through early retirements.

"We find that there is a big chance that we will have to continue streamlining Slovenia's diplomatic and consular representations in 2013 and 2014. This however depends on Slovenia's economic situation," the minister said.

He underlined however that he would promote a reorganisation of the diplomatic network, so as to make it more fit to face global challenges. Erjavec believes that Slovenia will also have to open a representation or two in 2013.

Next year, procedures will be launched to open an office in one of the Gulf states, but he would not reveal which exactly. Moreover, a representation office is also to be opened in central Africa, the minister said.

Several MPs, including opposition Positive Slovenia's (PS) Janja Klasinc and Jožef Horvat of the ruling Democrats (SDS) called upon the ministry to conduct a comprehensive analysis before reorganising and streamlining the diplomatic network. Erjavec agreed, saying that the ministry would carry out an analysis.

Among the most important projects of the Foreign Ministry in 2013 will also be the funding of Slovenia's defence in the international arbitration on the border dispute with Croatia, which is to cost the country EUR 3m.