"This also presents a significant opportunity for Slovenian companies," Počivalšek argued after the meeting.

Slovenia's trade with Germany increased by 11.8% to EUR 10.96bn in 2017, which accounted for 20% of the country's total trade volume. Cooperation has been particularity strong in the car industry, the Slovenian Economy Ministry has pointed out.

Počivakšek and Altmaier also agreed about the importance of introducing digital and AI-based business models in small and medium-sized companies

They moreover agreed on close cooperation in the successive stints of Germany, Portugal and Slovenia as the countries presiding over the EU council, starting with Germany's in the second half of 2020.

To coordinate things, Altmaier will invite Počivalšek as well as their Portuguese colleague to visit next summer. The German minister also accepted Počivalšek's invitation to attend the 2019 Bled Strategic Forum.

Počivalšek is also to meet the head of the German Association of the Automotive Industry Bernhard Mattes today.