Slovenia is seeking support for the upgrade of the Koper-Divača section in countries such as Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria Germany and Poland.

Talks with Hungary are at an advanced stage and the project will be discussed by an intergovernmental working group next week and then at a joint meeting of national governments on 22 January, Gašperšič said after an EU ministerial.

So far Hungary has mentioned the possibility of crediting through the state export-import bank Exim, or a licence for a part of the Port of Koper, according to Gašperšič.

Dnevnik newspaper reported today that Hungary was willing to invest EUR 100m in what is a project estimated at well over a billion euros, but Gašperšič said any figures were pure speculation at this point.

All efforts first need to be directed at securing a maximum amount of EU grants, he said.

Dnevnik reported today that Hungary is very much interested in the upgrade of what is the biggest bottleneck on the Slovenian rail network.

Hungarian firms account for 10% of turnover in Koper, which in turn has a 58% share among seaports in Hungary.