Erjavec said that economic diplomacy was a priority of the Foreign Ministry and also featured strongly in the new foreign policy strategy to debated in parliament in May.

"It is the export economy that is our flagship and we will only exit the crisis if we give it appropriate support," he told the diplomats.

The minister stressed the need for a foray into new markets, especially Russia, Turkey, Central Asia and Northern Africa, noting that Slovenia was operating in a very small circle, mostly in neighbouring countries, in the Western Balkans and the EU.

Meanwhile, Erjavec also wants Slovenia to make better use of the potential of foreign investment, blaming above all politics and its defence of national interest for the poor performance so far. He hopes the second programme of privatisation will be confirmed before the summer recess.

He also mentioned the Ukraine crisis, saying it could have a negative impact on macroeconomic indicators in the EU and indirectly also on the Slovenian economy.

Erjavec moreover touched on the political situation in Slovenia, expressing concern over developments in the senior coalition Positive Slovenia (PS) and hope things "stabilise so the government can continue with its work".

The annual meeting of Slovenian economic attaches is taking place today and on Wednesday in Ljubljana and Laško.