The EU patent, designed primarily to increase the bloc's competitiveness compared to the US and China, will allow individuals and companies to obtain a single patent valid throughout the EU.

One of the major benefits of the common EU patent for Slovenian companies is that it will reduce the cost of obtaining a patent for some 80%, Rožič stressed.

Slovenia will, along with Portugal, also host the Arbitration and Mediation Centre, whose decisions will have the power of court rulings, the state secretary said.

As part of today's meeting in Brussels, the EU Competitiveness Council also discussed the Cars 2020 action plan to promote the automotive industry.

EU Industry Commissioner Antonio Tajani said he would try to increase innovation funding for automotive industry within the Horizon 2020 programme from EUR 1bn to EUR 2bn.

"Slovenia expects to get a significant part of the funds, as automotive industry represents some 10% of GDP and 21% of the country's exports," Rožič said.

But he noted that Slovenia was but a small player in the European automotive industry.