Regional Development and EU Funds Minister Gabrijela Zalac said on Saturday that President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic's recent criticism of the government was not acceptable.

Speaking to reporters after a special session of the Osijek-Baranja County Assembly, held in Osijek on the occasion of the county’s day, Zalac said that she was surprised by the president’s support to the Most party and its initiative to stop emigration, adding that she did not know why the president was doing it.

“I expect an open dialogue and believe that the president should be supporting the government, in the context of measures that we have defined, notably for Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem regions. The easiest thing to do is to criticise, but I’m only interested in concrete measures. Everything we do is very concrete and tangible,” said Zalac.

Asked who she was referring to when in her speech at the county assembly session she said the government was responding to all challenges, including attempts to destabilise it and cheap populism, Zalac said that she was speaking about “all those who have been touring Croatia right now” and making unacceptable statements.

“We should be spreading optimism, not pessimism,” the minister said.

Asked if she was referring to President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Zalac said “I would not put it that way, but I believe that her criticism of the government is definitely not acceptable for us.”