Slovenia is not fully aware of the opportunities provided by Azerbaijan, said the PM. "Results will probably not be instant but it pays off to make an effort," he told the business representatives.

He was critical of red tape hindering cooperation in both countries, but said that the situation would improve in the coming months.

Slovenia and Azerbaijan have not yet done everything to allow normal economic cooperation, the PM said. "Bureaucrats have failed to produce in all these years some much needed agreements, which are the precondition for good business, especially in large deals."

However, some documents have been prepared for signing after much trouble. During the visit, the countries will sign an agreement on mutual investment insurance in an attempt to increase the number of investments. Janša hopes several more will follow in the coming months.

Žerjav told the STA that he had an unexpected meeting with Azerbaijani Minister for Emergency Situations Kamaladdin Heydarov, who expressed great interest in visiting Slovenia and is likely to do so in February, accompanied by a business delegation.

The economy minister believes Azerbaijan provides great opportunities for Slovenia's timber industry. He welcomed an increasing frequency of visits, saying deals are not brokered at the first meeting.

In September he presented opportunities in Slovenia to 60 Azerbaijani companies and today there are 50 Slovenian companies and between 80 and 90 Azerbaijani companies, Žerjav noted.

"We expect to see the signing of certain agreements, including concrete contracts and letters of intent," said Žerjav, who mentioned the Maribor international airport and the spa resort Rimske terme as potentially being of interest to Azerbaijani businesses.

The PM described the attitude of EU institutions towards Azerbaijan as relatively normal despite criticism over human rights violations.

Slovenia is not digressing from European standards in human rights, he said, however Azerbaijan's specific situation must be taken into account.

This is a young country that re-emerged roughly at the same time as Slovenia became independent. "But one cannot expect of a country in such a demanding geostrategic situation to do everything in only a few years - stop a war, double national income, relaunch industry, boost prosperity etc."

Janša did not address the political crisis in Slovenia that broke out after the Corruption Prevention Commission found he violated the anti-corruption law, and he refused to answer questions from journalists.

Tomorrow, Janša will meet meet President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Artur Rasizade. He will also attend a Slovenian-Azerbaijani business conference.