The two delegations also discussed economic relations between Slovenia and the US, and the situation in the Western Balkans.

The US said it would not take sides in the Slovenian-Croatian arbitration dispute, but Erjavec stressed that "it is about respecting international law, respecting the court-delivered arbitration ruling".

Speaking to reporters in Brdo pri Kranju, the foreign minister said he had also told the US senators that the arbitration between Slovenia and Croatia could serve as a model for resolving other border disputes in the Western Balkans.

Resolved border issues are one of the factors for strengthening stability in the region, he also said. "If we don't tackle these questions in good time, they could prove to be a new source of tensions," Erjavec noted.

He believes that Republican senators Roy Blunt, John Cornyn, William Thad Cochran, Susan Collins, Thom Tillis and Thomas Bryant Cotton got acquainted with all the necessary explanations about the significance of the US backing the implementation of the arbitration agreement.

Also on the agenda of the talks were strengthening economic ties and US investment in Slovenia, EU-Russia relations and international terrorism.

Bilateral trade between Slovenia and the US grew by 17% to EUR 824m in 2015 year-on-year, and the first three months of this year indicate that trade will grow further, Minister Erjavec said. Slovenia exports almost double the amount to the US than it imports from the country, which the minister labelled positive.

The two delegations also confirmed the US strategic partnership with Slovenia and the EU. Slovenia, as a member of NATO, is also included into various defence activities within the alliance, where the US is the leading defence force, Erjavec added.

The senators also met President Pahor earlier today to discuss bilateral ties, NATO, the Western Balkans and other topical issues.