In line with the agreement, the countries will exchange information on best practices and cooperate throughout the entire forestry-wood chain.

Before signing the memorandum of understanding, State Secretary at the Agriculture Ministry Miha Marenče and vice administrator of the Chinese State Forestry Administration Liu Dongsheng discussed the possibilities of future cooperation between their countries at a bilateral meeting.

"There are certainly possibilities for cooperation in the area of best practices and exchange of information, but there are probably also many opportunities in the entire forestry-wood chain, including wood-processing industry, where China can help us with its investments, experience and market," Marenče said.

The Chinese official also sees great potential for Sino-Slovenia cooperation in forestry.

The government and the civil society have already provided the basis for cooperation, while the memorandum signed today will contribute to the implementation of concrete projects and strengthening of bilateral relations, Liu Dongseng said.

The memorandum envisages deepening of cooperation between the two countries' education and science institutions and opens possibilities for multilateral forms of cooperation.

The ASEM conference on sustainable management of forests, organised by Slovenia and China in Brdo pri Kranju today, is a highlight of this year's Forests Week, raising awareness of the importance of forests.

Some 50 to 60 delegates from over 20 European and Asian countries are attending the event, at which countries are presenting their practices in forests management and exchanging other relevant information on forest management.

Tomorrow the participants will visit the Notranjsko region, in souther Slovenia, where they will be presented with the best practices of the Slovenian forestry institutions.