"We see Kazakhstan as a factor of stability in the region," Erjavec told the STA, adding that Slovenia also supported Kazakhstan in its bids to host the EXPO 2017 and for membership in the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

The two ministers also discussed the agreements their countries wish to sign, including an agreement on avoiding double taxation, which is expected to be signed this year.

Several technical aspects of the document were agreed today at a session of the Slovenia-Kazakhstan Commission for Economic Cooperation, co-chaired by Erjavec and Kazakh Health Minister Salidat Kairbekova.

An agreement on encouragement and protection of investments has already been coordinated between the two countries, but has been sent to Brussels by Slovenia to get an opinion of the EU.

Erjavec and Idrisov also spoke about Kazakhstan's strategic partnership with the EU, and Erjavec stressed that Slovenia supported Kazakhstan in its visa facilitation efforts.

The Slovenian foreign minister discussed similar topics with Kazakh parliamentary Speaker Nurlan Nigmatulin.

He also said he had handed over the invitation of Slovenian President Borut Pahor for his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev to visit Slovenia in 2014.

Erjavec, who is accompanied on his three-day visit by a 30-strong business delegation, pointed out that much interest had been established for more cooperation between the countries, especially in the fields of high-tech, energy and pharmaceuticals.

Much interest has also been expressed on the Kazakh side for tourism and the international emergency number 112, with Slovenian telecommunications company Iskratel already selling its 112 technology in Russia.

Trade between Slovenia and Kazakhstan increased last year by 75% to over EUR 102m, but Erjavec stressed that everyone he talked to agreed that the figure could still be increased substantially, especially since Slovenian companies have potential, know-how and experience, while Kazakhstan has great needs for development of certain technologies and systems.

During its stay in Astana, the delegation also made a stop at a university sports hall, built by Slovenian company Duol, before continuing its business talks in Almaty on Friday.