Hojs made the statement after NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called on European members to increase their defence spending as a bigger European contribution to NATO capabilities will also secure a greater contribution on the US side.

The minister noted that the US plans to maintain the traditionally good Euro-Atlantic relations in the field of defence, it however expects that European NATO members will take on part of the burden of financing the alliance and its operations.

He feels this means that Slovenia as a full-fledged member of NATO will not be able to avoid these responsibilities and will have to increase defence spending if it wants to remain credible.

The US's share in NATO defence costs has increased from 63% to 72% in the last ten years, while most European allies have cut defence spending, the Defence Ministry moreover said in a press release.

Meanwhile, Hojs has welcomed the readiness expressed by the US and Iran to sit behind a negotiating table regarding Iran's nuclear programme.

"This is very important for global security...Indirectly it definitely also affects Slovenia and our security," the minister said.