Slovenian minister wants more trade with Croatia despite dispute

LJUBLJANA, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Slovenian Economy Minister Zdravko Pocivalsek on Wednesday called for more trade between Slovenia and Croatia despite their border disputes at the International Trade Fair in the Slovenian city of Celje.

Trade between the two countries reached 3.6 billion euros (4.3 billion U.S. dollars) last year and Slovenia invested 1.6 billion euros in Croatia.

"Both countries should do a lot more to improve their competitiveness," Slovenian Press Agency quoted Pocivalsek as saying.

Croatia was the partner country for the first time in the 50-year history of the Celje Trade Fair, the biggest trade event in Slovenia.

The trade fair started on Tuesday with almost 1,500 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions.