Slovenia is also expected to take part in Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum in May, while Saint Petersburg days are to be held in Slovenia in the summer, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release on Tuesday.

The news comes just as Foreign Ministry State Secretary Iztok Mirošič is on a working visit to Russia's second largest city.

On the first day of the visit, Mirošič met deputy head of the Hermitage museum Georgy Vilinbakhov to discuss possibilities for exchanging exhibitions, particularly with the National Gallery.

He also held talks with representatives of Saint Petersburg's international relations, economy and culture committees to discuss cooperation in culture and economy, particularly spa tourism.

The state secretary also reviewed the implementation of Slovenian projects in culture in Russia, with both sides expressing satisfaction with joint activities, including within the framework of the Forum of Slavic Cultures.

Both sides also called for strengthening economic ties and concrete projects. Noting that the number of nights Russian tourists spend in Slovenia rose by a third last year, Saint Petersburg expressed interest in establishing a direct connection between the city and Slovenia to facilitate trips.