"Our meeting was anticipated for a long time both among the domestic public and in the international community. There was a lot of interest in it. Due to the delicate moment, we didn't want to jeopardise its holding and outcome with anything," Josipovic was quoted by Belgrade's Danas daily of Friday as saying, adding the media had been notified about the meeting, which took place in Opatija, Croatia, on time.

Asked what the announced European partnership between the two countries envisaged, Josipovic said it meant mutual support on the road to European Union membership, regardless of the fact that Croatia would join somewhat sooner, and that the two countries would resolve outstanding issues in accordance with the European principles of law and justice.

Josipovic added that Croatia and Serbia shared many interests and that their societies were faced with similar problems which could be solved more easily by exchanging experiences. He said the best example of that was the cooperation between the police forces and state prosecutor's offices.

"Crime knows no borders. It's a shame that criminals cooperate better than states, thus further threatening the security of citizens in both countries, even the security of the countries themselves. Coming out of the crisis will be easier and faster in both countries if trade and economic cooperation develop, if joint projects are launched for third countries as well as infrastructure projects of European importance."

Josipovic said Serbia would certainly benefit from Croatia's prospective EU entry, just as Croatia would benefit from Serbia's EU accession.

Speaking of the genocide lawsuits the two countries had filed against each other at the International Court of Justice and the possibility of an out-of-court settlement, Josipovic recalled that the lawsuits were the result of certain problems as well as of war, adding the need for the lawsuits would disappear once the problems that had caused them were resolved.

Asked if he and Tadic had discussed Kosovo, Josipovic said that they had not in particular and that different positions on Kosovo need not be an obstacle to the strengthening of Croatia-Serbia relations.

"It is important to me and to Croatia that regional initiatives are launched. Croatia has shown, with (Croatian) Prime Minister (Jadranka) Kosor and (Slovenian) Prime Minister (Borut) Pahor's invitation to the (recent) meeting in Slovenia, a desire to strengthen regional cooperation. But evidently the Kosovo issue is still too hot. Serbia decides which policy suits it."

Speaking of the refugee return issue, Josipovic said there was no dilemma about Croatia's wish that this issue be resolved as soon as possible, and that a prerequisite for that was to finally and clearly establish who had refugee status and who wanted to return. He added he saw no obstacles to beginning immediately with the return of people who wanted to come back to their prewar homes.

Speaking of the Croatian-Serbian border along the Danube as an outstanding issue between the two countries, Josipovic said there were two possible demarcation criteria and that if the two countries could not agree on the criterion, the case should immediately be put before the International Court of Justice or to arbitration.

"Postponing problem-solving is counterproductive and only foments tension. But, until the border is determined, and after that as well, the citizens on both sides should be enabled to freely use their property, to communicate, and to have the border not as a place which separates but which brings together. Trade, getting together, cultural and every other cooperation are important components when dealing with disputes" Josipovic was quoted as saying.