Addressing reporters outside the government headquarters on Thursday who asked him what he expected from a recent visit of Standard & Poor's representatives to Croatia, Linic said that it was always important how credit rating providers assessed government programmes.

"I believe that we have given enough explanations that this government is serious and that it has prioritised fiscal consolidation and the fight for economic development. That is why we believe that we have given enough elements to keep the existing credit rating this year. We'll see what their response will be," Linic said.

As part of a regular annual review of Croatia's credit rating, in early February representatives of the Fitch Ratings agency visited the country, Moody's officials followed in early March and representatives of Standard & Poor's recently.

Fitch Ratings reported earlier this month that it had affirmed Croatia's long-term foreign currency rating at 'BBB-' and local currency rating at 'BBB'. The outlook remains negative.

"Despite some positive initial policy steps by the new government, further fiscal consolidation measures and structural reforms will be required to boost economic growth and stabilise the public finances," Michele Napolitano, Associate Director in Fitch's Emerging Europe Sovereigns Team, was quoted as saying on that occasion.

Moody's and S&P are expected to give their latest evaluations for Croatia.

According to Moody's, Croatia's current long-term foreign-currency and local-currency rating stands at 'Baa3', with a stable outlook, while S&P has put Croatia's rating at 'BBB-' with a negative outlook.