The Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and Minister for Slovenians Abroad, Matej Arčon, and the State Secretary at the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad, Vesna Humar, are on a two-day visit to Zagreb. The capital of neighbouring Croatia is currently hosting the World Handball Championship.As part of the programme accompanying this major sporting event, the Handball Federation of Slovenia and the Croatian Handball Federation hosted a two-day sports and economic forum – the Slovenian-Croatian business hub. A wide range of events concluded today with a roundtable entitled "The role of Slovenian and Croatian minority members in international economic and sports cooperation".

In his opening address, Minister Matej Arčon spoke about the Slovenian minority’s role in strengthening economic ties between Slovenia and Croatia and international sports cooperation, as well as about relevant policies and programmes. "Two coordinating bodies of Slovenians in neighbouring countries were recently established, namely in the areas of business and sports," said Minister Arčon, highlighting the positive effects of cooperation and integration.

In the subsequent panel discussion, experiences, opinions and policies were presented by the State Secretary at the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenians Abroad, Vesna Humar, the State Secretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Frano Matušić, and the Deputy State Secretary at the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, Dario Magdić. "Sports diplomacy means establishing genuine ties, ties of the heart. Sport teaches our children about tolerance, equality and the assets of multilingualism and multiculturalism," said State Secretary Vesna Humar. She added that the goal was to eventually transform the Economic Coordinating Body of Slovenians in neighbouring countries into a global association. She took this opportunity to invite the participants to attend a business conference in June in Nova Gorica as part of the "Welcome Home" event, which will be organised by the Government Office with the aim of networking, the exchange of good practices and establishing ties between businesses in Slovenia, neighbouring countries and around the world.

The event was attended by numerous Slovenians living in Zagreb.

Yesterday, on 20 January 2025, Minister Arčon and State Secretary Humar attended the opening of the Slovenian-Croatian business hub. They also cheered for the Slovenian handball team, who played a game against Iceland.