The PM made the statement at a celebration of International Workers' Day in Ronjgi, in Viskovo municipality near the northern Adriatic port of Rijeka, organised by the local SDP branch.

He said that for Croatians to keep their way of life, they would have to work harder, more seriously and more cleverly.

Milanovic went on to say that Croatia "is about to join a community of members much bigger and stronger than it is", where "there is enough for everyone, but not in equal amounts."

Dedicating his speech to the unemployed, he said the government's task was difficult, "to ensure the right to work for them, a decent salary for decent work."

"We want to preserve our way of life, our habits, customs and wishes, we want to prosper, but in order to keep what we have, we will have to work harder, more seriously and more cleverly than we have so far," said Milanovic.