Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek and Croatian Tourism Minister Gari Cappelli will meet next week to discuss measures to support the tourist sector in the face of the coronavirus epidemic, the Economy Ministry told the STA. Cappelli told Croatian media the pair would also discuss the potential revival of cross-border travel.
Cappelli told the Croatian broadcaster N1 that he would meet Počivalšek next week on the Croatian-Slovenian border or even in Croatia. He said they would discuss technical solutions to allow tourists to cross the border.
The Slovenian Economy Ministry confirmed for the STA the meeting would take place, noting that neither the exact date nor location had been confirmed yet.
According to the ministry, the talks will focus on the impact of coronavirus on tourism and measures to support the sector.
Cappelli said that a deal on opening the borders to tourist could be reached at a meeting of EU tourism ministers next Monday. If no agreement is reached on the EU level, Croatia will tackle the issue bilaterally, he said, noting that such deals could be reached in the coming weeks.
Croatia, whose coast is a popular holiday destination for many Slovenians, has announced easing of coronavirus measures between 27 April and 11 May. By mid-May all shops should reopen and a number of services should be available again. Public transport and some bars as well as accommodation facilities are expected to reopen as well.