We call on the government to protect Croatia's national interests and the state's energy independence by preserving INA and vertically integrating the company, INA's union leader Maja Rilovic said addressing the rally.

She recalled Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic's statements while he was in the Opposition that the government should protect national interests and prevent the Hungarians from taking over the company. Now however, he says that INA is a shareholders' company and that there are no national interests in shareholding, she said.

Hungarian PM Viktor Orban has openly said that MOL is a national company of special interest which will enjoy unconditional government support, that is what we expect of our PM too, she said.

INA is resembling a branch of MOL and not a regional leader as the government pledged it would be and unions will not allow the company's petrol stations to be divested from the core company.

HUS union federation leader Ozren Matijasevic reminded that former PM Ivo Sanader was in jail because of the deal made with MOL and questioned if that contract was concluded in suspect circumstances then why had the government not cancelled the contract. He called on the government to prevent MOL from taking over INA entirely.

INA's Corporate Communications Sector reported on Thursday that "agreement exists between unions and management concerning INA's development objectives", and that the reason for the protest was unclear particularly since negotiations on new a collective agreement were concluded last week by consensus over key matters.

INA has over the past few years been recognised as one of the most favourable employers in Croatia and has achieved significant results which has strengthened the company's competitiveness on the Croatian and regional markets. INA's management is examining the possibility of improving its retail segment operations, the company said in today's press release.