Presidents of Croatia and Slovenia open new hotel in Tuheljske Toplice spa

Croatian President Ivo Josipovic and his Slovenian counterpart Danilo Tuerk formally opened a new hotel as part of the Terme Tuhelj spa at a ceremony on Thursday, and welcomed the joint investment project worth EUR12 million.

"This project carries a message, a message of optimism which we need now more than ever - to know that we can if we have the courage and the know-how," said Croatia's head of state.

He also stressed Croatia and Slovenia were partners. "I trully believe there is no economy in our neighbourhood with which we can work this good," Josipovic said adding that the two countries' economic cooperation was excellent but that there is room for improvement.

Tuerk said Croatia and Slovenia needed "great projects and successes", adding that he saw this investment as a symbol of cooperation between the two neighbours. "Croatia and Slovenia are building trust and that trust is very important for our future cooperation," the Slovenian president said. Josipovic and Tuerk laid a foundation stone for the new hotel in April 2011. Terme Tuhelj, located near the Croatian-Slovenian border, about 40 kilometres northwest of Zagreb, is owned by the Slovenian spa Terme Olimia of Podcetrtek.

Last year's meeting between Tuerk and Josipovic gave a fresh boost to economic relations between the two countries. They highlighted the importance of economic cooperation, especially in cross-border projects, ahead of the forthcoming accession of Croatia to the European Union, scheduled for 1 July 2013.

Terme Olimia took over Terme Tuhelj in 2003, investing about 18 million euros in the construction of a new four-star hotel and a new bathing centre. The opening ceremony was also attended by Croatian Tourism Minister Veljko Ostojic. (Hina)