That branch of the economy, Milanovic said, is in fact undefined in this area. Hotels are neither here nor there and it necessary to invest a lot in them. The city of Hvar is achieving something but, despite a 145-year-long tourism tradition, it is not where it should be, he said.

In response to a question from journalists, he said that Italians had not stood in the way of Croatia's path to the European Union and that the Ecological and Fisheries Protection Zone (ZERP) is in force but not toward EU members.

"And whoever is saying or suggesting that it will be, is kidding, but we will fight to protect our sea and utilise what we have to the maximum, including the potential of this island," Milanovic added, explaining that nothing would be achieved by imposing ZERP on EU member states and that this must not be done.

The Adriatic Sea is generally not destroyed, the Adriatic is preserved, and Croatia's EU membership will lead to even greater care of it, he said, adding that Italy was a member of the EU just like Croatia.

I would not compare our situation to Malta because it managed to gain special status during negotiations and it is practically closer to Africa than to Europe, he said.

With regard to protests by disgruntled farmers in continental areas, he said that ministers were doing their job well and that he empathised with people faced with hardships in their business.

He underscored that assistance would be given as much as possible but pointed out that the rules were known in advance and how much money there was in the budget. This year and next Croatia will open the 'European envelope' and it will be better for farmers than it is now. Their status will be closer to their colleagues in other EU countries, said Milanovic.