Asked by the press to comment on RIZ workers' protest outside the government today, who accuse him too of the situation in the company, Cacic said he was sorry that those who had halved RIZ's business continued to manipulate.

As the owner, the state is responsible for the situation in RIZ and will therefore act responsibly, he said.

About 100 RIZ workers demanded the government enable them to become the company's majority owners through an employee stock ownership plan and that the anti-corruption office USKOK and the State Prosecutor's Office finally solve the crimes in the company they had reported.

They demand the government enable them to buy 64% of the stock owned by the state, claiming the state is not entitled to the stake because it has not recapitalised the company with HRK 88 million.

RIZ Board member Milic Bijelic dismissed Cacic's claims that the workers had already bought the stock once at preferential terms and "sold them to tycoons."

Asked about the state of the Plomin C thermal plant project, Cacic said huge money was involved and that many renowned companies had expressed an interest in it. He added the plan was to sign a contract with one of the bidders by early April.