In his address, Prime Minister Golob highlighted the significance of this modernisation project. "Today's project confirms that this Government's decision to significantly increase public investment is the right one. Slovenia invests almost twice as much as its neighbours, as a percentage of GDP, and this sets us apart from most countries in Europe. I believe that the state must lead by example and invest in infrastructure, encouraging private capital to follow," he said.

The Prime Minister also emphasised that addressing mobility is one of the key areas in tackling the climate crisis. "Rail infrastructure is key to this effort. Today, we are not only laying the foundation stone for the Ljubljana railway station, but we are doing much more: contributing to the convergence of the main rail corridors."

The Prime Minister noted that with the completion of this project, Slovenia will finally earn its place on the European railway map, reflecting its existing forte in the areas of foreign policy, economy, equality and social welfare.

Our country already enjoys an excellent international reputation. "Slovenia is often cited as an example by some of the world's most powerful and largest countries when it comes to alliances, foreign policy and the United Nations. It is mentioned by all members of the Security Council, as well as by senior representatives of European banks, economies and organisations, both in terms of economic indicators and in terms of our ability to take care of social welfare and the fact that the level of inequality in Slovenia is among the lowest in the world," the Prime Minister stressed.

The Prime Minister highlighted the Government's commitment to long-term goals. "The modernisation of the railway station is also an example of how the Government plans not just for one term but is but is committed to following up on this project also in the next term as well," concluded Prime Minister Golob.

Prime Minister Robert Golob’s address. Check against delivery.

Dear Minister, Distinguished Guests!

If the weather had been kind to us, I might have considered highlighting Ljubljana here as the most beautiful city in the world as well.

Jokes aside, I am happy to be here today because this is a symbolic event, but in many ways, it is also an indication of what us Slovenians can accomplish, a fact we are too often unaware of.

Hardly a month goes by without Ljubljana and Slovenia being visited by high-profile guests, all of whom, without exception, hold Slovenia up as an example. Slovenia is cited as an example by some of the world's most powerful and largest countries when it comes to alliances, foreign policy and the United Nations. It is mentioned by all members of the Security Council, as well as by senior representatives of European banks, economies and organisations, both in terms of economic indicators and in terms of our ability to take care of social welfare, seeing as the level of inequality in Slovenia is among the lowest in the world.

All this can be a source of pride for us, as well as a guide for our future actions. Today's project confirms two things. That this Government's decision to significantly increase public investment is the right one. Slovenia invests almost twice as much as its neighbours, as a percentage of GDP, and this sets us apart from most countries in Europe. I believe that the state must lead by example and invest in infrastructure, encouraging private capital to follow.

And when it comes to the climate crisis, it is by building infrastructure that we can build resilience. Addressing mobility is certainly one of the key areas in tackling the climate crisis, and rail infrastructure is key to this effort.

I am pleased that today we are not only laying the cornerstone for the Ljubljana railway station, but doing much more. This project is not only important for Ljubljana, it is not only important for passenger and suburban transport, it is not only important for Slovenia – it is all of these and much more. This is where Europe's most important rail corridors converge.

With this project’s successful completion, Slovenia will finally earn its place on the European railway map, reflecting its existing forte in other areas – foreign policy, economy, equality and social welfare. That is why I am glad that we are here today.

Let me conclude by another thought. This project is also an example of how the Government plans not just for one term but is committed to following up on this project in the next term as well. See you then.