Speaking at the session of the parliamentary foreign policy and EU affairs committees, Erjavec said the closure of diplomatic and consular representations would save Slovenia EUR 2.5m in overhead costs and salaries.

The first embassies to close their doors were in Lisbon and Stockholm on 15 September, followed by Helsinki a month later. The wave of closures also included the consulate in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Although the Foreign Ministry was forced to close embassies because of Slovenia's difficult financial situation, Erjavec said he was more inclined to an overhaul of the diplomatic network, adapting it to global challenges.

Moreover, he said that Slovenia would start the procedures for opening a diplomatic representation in the Persian Gulf and one in central Africa.