The Russian Chapel below Vršič Pass is a reminder to those who have a light-hearted attitude to war and peace, those who would like to "erode the friendly ties and cooperation," Nikiforov said, labelling the chapel as a symbol of "deep trust and friendship between our nations and countries".

Erjavec stressed that the inhumane suffering of Russian prisoners of war had given birth to mutual respect and cooperation that stood firm no matter the international circumstances.

He said international crises could only be resolved by working together, in particular with the cooperation of superpowers, not with exclusion.

"We live in a time that demands intense cooperation between nations if we want to achieve international peace. I wish that the main message of this year's Russian Chapel memorial ceremony be: yes to cooperation, no to exclusion."

Erjavec and Nikiforov made the address at the annual ceremony at the Russian Chapel, built 101 years ago in memory of Russian POWs, that has become a touchstone of Slovenian-Russia relations.

The event attracted about 700 people and numerous senior officials including President Borut Pahor, National Council President Mitja Bervar, several cabinet members, Russian and Slovenian MPs, and representatives of associations and NGOs.

The memorial Orthodox mass was given by metropolitan of Khanty-Mansiysk and Surgutsky Pavel and was followed by Catholic mass said by Celje Bishop Stanislav Lipovšek.

The ceremony capped a week of events and meetings dedicated to Russian culture and the promotion of bilateral relations.