Both ministers underscored good cultural relations at a joint news conference after talks with Bizjak Mlakar saying they agreed the cultural dialogue should be deepened as they discussed cultural activity in both countries.

Šipuš praised cooperation between Slovenian and Croatian artists, but said the planned cooperation agreement could bring even more partnerships in the field. Croatia is currently funding 35 artistic programmes that are on show in Slovenia.

He identified preservation of cultural heritage, culture tourism and creative industries as the fields with potential for cooperation. Creative industries alone employ some 120,000 people in Croatia.

Šipuš also commented on the border arbitration developments saying he did not expect them to spoil the good relations between Croatia and Slovenia. He said the situation did not make him reconsider his visit even for a second.

The ministers met before attending a concert in Ljubljana tonight by Zagreb Soloists and the Chamber String Orchestra of the Slovenian Philharmonic. Šipuš invited Bizjak Mlakar to the closing event of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival in late August.