"The right path is the path of friendship and cooperation, alongside the differences that we know," Pahor said after the meeting, held on the sidelines of the European Forum Alpbach as their first following the border arbitration clash between the two countries.

He argued it would be easier to overcome differences if there is "a spirit of friendship, cooperation and trust" and stressed that the countries "are neighbours and will always be neighbours", which is why this is in their mutual interest.

Pahor reiterated he was happy that the arbitration court was continuing with its work and expressed the wish that it finishes it in an impartial way with a verdict.

Grabar-Kitarović also said relations needed to stay on a friendly path irrespective of "the differences in the positions on arbitration, which remain".

The pair moreover agreed that the Brdo Process for the Balkans, initiated by the two countries, needed to continue and signed a joint letter to President of the European Council Donald Tusk in which they propose a summit of the European Council and members of the Brdo Process.

Pahor explained the summit would focus on the EU's enlargement to include the Western Balkans, noting Grabar-Kitarović and him were convinced this was "the only true answer to a number of border and other issues in this part of Europe and an inspiration for reconciliation".

This was already the pair's seventh meeting since Grabar-Kitarović took over slightly over half a year ago. Another meeting is planned in Ljubljana on Monday, while Pahor also invited his opposite number to an official visit to Slovenia when "she assess this will be the most useful".

Meanwhile, Pahor also has scheduled in Alpbach a working lunch hosted by Austrian President Heinz Fischer, an address at the forum and a trilateral meeting with his Croatian and Austrian counterparts. The meeting was agreed on by the three in April at their talks in Logarska dolina hosted by Pahor.