Prime Minister Borut Pahor defended government welfare policy on Friday as he received the annual report of the human rights ombudsman which wonders whether Slovenia is still a welfare state.

The government will have earmarked nearly 44% more funds for social benefits compared to the time before the economic crisis, Pahor said after meeting Ombudsman Dr Zdenka Cebasek - Travnik, who has been critical of the state's reaction to the changing economic environment.

However, Pahor also noted that the increase in welfare funds had weakened Slovenia's competitiveness, adding that the government must boost the foundations for competitiveness if it wanted to enhance the social security network.

For the first time, the human rights ombudsman will present her report at a government session, before the government compiles a response and before the report along with the response is debated in parliament.

Ombudsman assured reporters today that she would use the opportunity to present her recommendations to the government well. She finds it important that the government should focus on the reasons why it failed to follow some recommendations.