Pahor stressed that the ceremony gathered those who cared about peace, stressing that "we care whether there will be war or peace".

"We believe war and peace are always subject to political decision. We reject the notion that war is inevitable. We accept responsibility for peaceful resolution of all disputes. We want lasting peace," he said.

Pahor reflected on how recurring terrorist attacks around the world, which he described as "senseless and aimless", generate anxiety.

"We will not give in. We will find new ways of securing peace and security for new, innovative forms of extreme and raw violence", which Pahor said would require "all freedom-loving humanity" to join forces and dialogue.

"This is a challenge so serious we must overcome the biggest obstacles and differences between us...This will not be easy. We have to overcome mutual distrust and many other things...We have to find the way to secure lasting peace and security."

Putin said that the modest Chapel of St Vladimir, which he said was a touching site, was "a symbol of Russian-Slovenian friendship, of the common striving for peace and prosperity".

He thanked "many generations of Slovenians" who have been taking care of the Russian Chapel for a century and preserving the memory of the victims of war and everything that "Russia had put on the altar" of both world wars.

Noting how he and Pahor would later inaugurate in Ljubljana a memorial to Russian and Soviet soldiers who died on Slovenian territory in WWI and WWII, Putin said it would also highlight the decisive role of the Soviet Union in liberating Europe from Nazism and the "immortal endeavour of the winners".

The memorial would reflect the shared common position on the inadmissibility of attempts at rewriting history, which is also motivating ongoing efforts to educate the youths about history.

He thanked Slovenia for the "sincere desire" to build "firm foundations of European unity", which he said was the only basis on which the future of the continent could be built.

Putin stressed that he was glad to be in the "friendly Slovenia" where Russian guests are always "received with sincere hospitality".

Both presidents delivered emotional speeches, with Putin's interrupted several times by applause from the crowd even before it was translated into Slovenian, suggesting a high turnout of Russian-speaking attendants and Slovenians understanding Russian.

It had been speculated in the media that Putin might use the speaker platform to further his geopolitical agenda, but he restricted himself to the ceremonial nature of the event.

He did, however, suggest that his visit would also have a working component, saying that a number of future "mutually beneficial projects" would be discussed in evening talks with Pahor.

The ceremony featured several Slovenian businessmen as well as top Slovenian officials, including several members of the cabinet headed by Prime Minister Miro Cerar, Speaker Milan Brglez, National Council President Mirja Brvar and others.

Former officials were also in attendance, including both former presidents, Milan Kučan and Danilo Türk, and Alenka Bratušek, the former prime minister.

Putin was flanked by several ministers, among them Communications and Mass Media Minister Nikolai Nikiforov.

Some 2,500 people attended the Russian Chapel centenary ceremony, which started an hour and a half later than planned due to Putin's delayed arrival in Slovenia.

The ceremony was addressed also by the president of the Slovenia-Russia Association Saša Geržina, who served as the first Slovenian ambassador to Russia.

The speeches were followed by a Russian Orthodox prayer led by Metropolitan Hilarion, who in informally termed the foreign minister of the Moscow Patriarchate.

After the ceremony, Putin and Pahor left for Ljubljana to inaugurate the memorial to Russian and Soviet soldiers who died on Slovenian soil during both world wars.

This will be followed by their tete-a-tere, after which Pahor will host a working dinner at Brdo pri Kranju for the Russian president, which will be attended also by Slovenian and Russian top officials.

This is Putin's third visit to Slovenia. He was first here in 2001 for a historic meeting with US President George W. Bush and then in 2011 as Russian prime minister.