It added that no security issues in connection to the head veils had been reported by the police.

Wearing a burka or niqab is an expression of a religious belief and the Slovenian Constitution protects the freedom of religion in the private and public life, the ministry told the STA on Tuesday.

The Constitution also gives everyone the right to express their nationality and nurture and express their culture as well as use their language and writing.

There are some 50,000 Muslims living in Slovenia, who traditionally use head scarves rather than burkas or niqabs and in practice this poses no security risks, the ministry explained.

The police can also demand that a person who is covered or masked to uncover themselves to establish their identity, the ministry added. But this must be done with respect to human dignity and other human rights and freedoms.

The ministry also said it was monitoring the developments in other EU countries and the security situation in Slovenia and would take appropriate action if necessary.

Concerns related to the wearing of burka and niqab had been raised by the opposition Democrats (SDS), with MP Anja Bah Žibert addressing a question on the issue to Interior Minister Vesna Györkös Žnidar.

"Slovenia is no safe island, so it is our joint task to protect our safety as well as cultural identity," Bah Žibert argued.