The document envisages an exchange of experience and an upgrade in the development of the economy, education and culture, Veber told the STA, explaining Slovenia's was the third parliament in Europe to sign such an agreement with the Duma.

Naryshkin was quoted by Russian press agency Itar-Tass as saying that ties between the two countries remained at a very high level and were built on equality, respect and friendship.

He moreover pointed out that Russia and Slovenia had signed several government agreements in the past year and cooperated in humanitarian efforts, while Veber highlighted the visit to Russia by PM Alenka Bratušek, which is planned for 10 December.

The speaker is accompanied in Russia by a business delegation, which includes seven Slovenian IT companies. The company representatives attended a Slovenian-Russian business conference, at which Veber pointed to advanced E-administration solutions in Slovenia, among other things.

Meetings were moreover organised with Minister of Communications and Mass Media Nikolai Nikiforov and Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Meshkov.

Trade between Slovenia and Russia is worth around EUR 1.3bn, but Veber feels that "many possibilities and opportunities exist to upgrade this further".

Veber and the accompanying delegation were moreover scheduled to attend a reception at the Slovenian embassy today, while they will wrap up the visit on Tuesday with a meeting with Valentina Matviyenko, the speaker of the upper chamber of the Russian parliament.