Počivalšek held talks Sergio Emidio Bini, the minister of economy and tourism of Friuli-Venezia Giulia province, as well as Illycaffe officials the representatives of Slovenian economic organisations and companies in the region.

The plan is to intensify cooperation in tourism, innovations and digitalisation, while there were also opportunities for companies to do business together on third-country markets.

Meetings would continue at the expert level in September, when both sides will identify specific projects, the Economy Ministry said in a press release.

"The meeting has affirmed my belief that there should be no borders in Europe. We have to play the cooperation game in this region and compete with large global players together," Počivalšek was quoted as saying.

Slovenia and Friuli-Venezia Giulia face similar challenges, including lack of skilled labour and bitter competition on global markets, the ministry said.

As for cooperation with the organisations of the Slovenian minority, the ministry said it would examine ways of strengthening Slovenia's support for business organisations as well as companies.