The existing strategy is outdated because all the goals set in it had long been met, Erjavec told the heads of Slovenian diplomatic missions from across the world before they started their consultations behind closed doors as part of the 18th annual meeting.

"The world is changing fast, what was valid once, isn't valid any more today," the minister said in calling for a rethink on the country's role and interests. He described the latter as peaceful policy, security and peace as well as the greatest possible level of welfare for Slovenian citizens.

Erjavec would like for the National Assembly to pass the new strategy this year. Discussion on the document has been ongoing, guidelines have been adopted and enjoy support from experts and the civil society alike.

The strategy would be a modern document, taking into account certain new circumstances that were not in the focus in the past such as sustainable development, green policy, peaceful resolution of disputes, the minister said.

Erjavec cited the bloc's enlargement and the European foreign and security policy as Slovenia's priorities in the EU. He argued that Slovenia would preserve its credibility as an EU member through a good economic situation and the lowest possible deficit. "We've proved we can deal with our problems ourselves, but this remains a challenge in 2014."

Turning to multilateral relations, Erjavec noted Slovenia's bid for membership of the UN Human Rights Council in 2016-2018, expressing his confidence about the success of the bid, which he believes Slovenia "deserves because it plays a very active role in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms".

Erjavec also briefly reviewed relations with Slovenia's neighbours, which he assessed as generally good and friendly, albeit with some issues.

In the case of Croatia he cited arbitration on the border dispute, the ruling on which he expects for early 2015, and the issue of savings deposits with the Zagreb subsidiary of the defunct Slovenian LB bank, where he said Slovenia would insist the issue is a matter of succession as set forth in the bilateral memorandum.

"Croatian court rulings [in the case] will be unenforceable as they are decisions issued by bodies that do not have the jurisdiction as this issue is a matter of succession," Erjavec said, adding that the 2013 memorandum was just a re-commitment for Croatia to respect the Vienna Succession Agreement. "I expect Croatia will honour treaties."

Erjavec acknowledged progress in the financing of the Slovenian minority in Italy as well as important steps forward in the case of the minority in Austria. He also expressed the hope that ethnic Slovenians in Hungary would get the long awaited transport link between Felsoszölnök and Ketvölgy this month at last.

The foreign minister also noted an upgrade in relations with France and Russia. He mentioned growing merchandise trade with the latter, expressing the belief that the figures would double with the success of the project to build the South Stream gas pipeline.

Erjavec also praised Slovenia's relations with the US, which he labelled as the country's strategic partner.

The minister underscored the importance of economic diplomacy and lauded the diplomatic service's work in helping promote the Slovenian economy. He also called for steps to make the service and the use of available funding even more effective.

The Foreign Ministry is seriously considering reorganising Slovenia's diplomatic network, which Erjavec believes should offer assistance to the Slovenian economy.

He mentioned plans to open an embassy in Tanzania as well as one in either Kuwait, Saudi Arabia or United Arab Emirates. Erjavec expects the first new embassy to be opened next year.

Erjavec is not happy about the ministry's budget for 2014, but was confident that last year's level of funding would be preserved through certain changes.

The diplomats will also be addressed by President Borut Pahor in the afternoon and by Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek on Tuesday.