Minister of Economic Development and Technology Stanko Stepišnik, Mayor Boris Popovič and Luka Koper chairman Bojan Brank signed the document during the new minister's visit to the port on Wednesday.

The document highlights the important role that companies based in Koper have in the Slovenian and broader European and global space, especially the port, located at the cross-roads of major transport routes.

The signatories pledge to cooperate in removing administrative barriers in a bid to implement steps and projects to achieve the planned development as soon as possible.

The letter calls for fast implementation of activities that will enable Luka Koper to further increase transshipment, while at the same time ensuring sustainable development of the local community.

To enable the deepening of the seabed that would allow bigger ships to enter the port, the municipality agreed to immediately start procedures to allow the port operator to deposit excavated material on municipality-owned land.

The ministry committed to push for the construction of a new road entrance to the port along with a lorry terminal and to put its word in so that development projects at the port are included as a priority in national development plans as well as to see to the conditions for the use of EU funding.

The city of Koper also committed to do what is necessary so that Luka Koper can extend the first pier.

The partners also agreed to contribute to the development of a new passenger terminal with a view to acquiring the status of a home port for passenger transport.

The ministry and Koper authorities also backed the idea to set up another commercial zone in Koper to expand commercial and manufacturing activities to boost the competitive edge of Slovenia's economy.