The bulk of the spending will be allocated for the expansion of the Koper-Divača section in western Slovenia, a project estimated at EUR 1.4bn that is to be built in public-private partnership.

But works will continue on the core east-west rail corridor, Gašperšič said as he inaugurated the upgraded 109-km Pragersko-Hodoš section in eastern Slovenia, a project worth EUR 465m.

He said works would continue west of Pragersko, towards Poljčane, Celje, the Zidani most junction, Ljubljana and on to the Divača junction in the west.

Additionally, the existing single-track route between Maribor and Šentilj on the border with Austria will be expanded with a second track by 2021.

Gašperšič said the entire rail network would eventually be brought up to European standards, which would improve Slovenia's competitiveness.