Janša and Monti stressed that the two countries nursed especially good relations in business, as bilateral trade increased by some 10% in 2011.

Exchanging views on current European issues, the pair agreed that austerity measures and measures for strengthening growth were inseparably connected.

Italy is a key trading partner for Slovenia, second only to Germany. Last year Slovenia's exports to the country topped EUR 2.5bn, up 11% year-on-year, while imports rose by 13% to EUR 4bn.