(ANSA) - ZAGABRIA, JUNE 22 - Hundreds of taxi drivers have blocked one of the main streets of Zagreb to protest against Uber, arguing that the services offered by the US-based company represent unfair and illegal competition.

Taxi cab companies operating in Croatia, which are required to get licenses whose procedure is usually quite long and expensive, have urged the authorities to suspend Uber app in the country and completely ban this sort of service. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said that investigation is being carried out on Uber, which could confirm that ''the use of this application is contrary to the regulations in force in Croatia''. Moreover, Plenkovic informed that about 170 checks were carried out so far, 11 cars were seized, and fines reached about 700,000 euros, with 19 disciplinary judgments (first instance). In the coming weeks, some ministries will issue a series of orders to regulate this sector. Uber, in a statement, claims that the protest of taxi drivers ''is unacceptable pressure, remembrance of past times, contrary to the principles of a modern European country''. According to the company, their drivers pay taxes and operate in accordance with the local rules; this is not a taxi service - they underline - but of ''car hire with driver''. Uber has been operating in Croatia for two years, has about 5,000 drivers and 100,000 registered users. Starting this summer the company also introduced a boat transport service (UberBoat) from some of the most famous tourist destinations, such as Split and Dubrovnik, to the nearby islands. (ANSA).