"A policy of exclusion is not my policy," Josipovic said in an interview with the leading Pristina daily Koha Ditore, his first interview to Kosovo media.

"As far as Kosovo is concerned, I think two issues are crucial: stability and European integration. These are two fundamental issues on which its economy, society and administration will be developed," he said.

Speaking of the situation in the region, Josipovic said that 2010 had been a good year in which countries had opened dialogue, citing the dialogue between Croatia and Serbia, and between Serbia and Kosovo.

"Our near past was tragic, but we cannot and should not live in the past. We should not be hostages to our outstanding issues. I think every civilised relationship requires first and foremost dialogue, even on issues on which we have different, or sometimes totally opposite, opinions," the Croatian president said.

On the subject of the relationship between Kosovo and Serbia, Josipovic said that an agreement would make easier the everyday lives of people on both sides, especially of the minorities. "That's one of the fundamental prerequisites of a modern democracy: protection of the minorities and making it possible for those people to preserve their identity and to promote their interests without fear."

Speaking of the situation in Croatia, Josipovic said that 2010 had been important because Croatia had finally confronted corruption. "There are no untouchables in Croatia any more, nor will there ever be, which I think was the crucial issue for the full democratic development of society."

In conclusion, Josipovic expressed hope that by 2020 the entire region would be integrated with the European Union, adding that before that regional agreements should be established to the benefit of all and that each country individually should meet EU standards.