Speaking at a joint press conference after they met, Josipovic and Tadic said that prosecuting war criminals, finding people missing from the war, refugee returns, and pursuing the policy of peace and cooperation were important for the future of good Croatia-Serbia relations.

"Between our countries there are outstanding issues. It is important that we face and resolve them," Josipovic said, voicing confidence that both countries would eventually find themselves in the European Union.

"The history of Croatia and Serbia has been difficult, but we have found the right path to solving problems and good neighbourly relations. Croatia will support all its neighbours, including Serbia, so that it, too, can become an EU member as soon as possible," said Josipovic.

He added that he and Tadic were unanimous in their opinion that Bosnia-Herzegovina must remain a single state and that its three constituent peoples should agree on coexistence.

Tadic said Serbia wanted the best possible relations with Croatia and that cooperation possibilities were many.

He congratulated Croatia on its NATO membership, adding that Serbia genuinely and openly supported Croatia's EU accession in the shortest time possible.

Tadic said the two countries had oscillations in their relations, which caused problems, and that they were agreed that those problems should be resolved through cooperation between the two governments.

Tadic described Josipovic's first official visit to Serbia as historic and thanked him for his contribution to the dynamic of relations between Serbia and Croatia, saying they "are one of the best examples of bilateral cooperation in the region."

Speaking of the two countries' genocide lawsuits against each other before the International Court of Justice, Tadic said he advocated an out-of-court settlement but added that trials of those guilty of war crimes must not be disregarded.

Josipovic said it was obvious the lawsuit was there in order to solve some problems, adding that if they could be solved without it, the lawsuit did not make much sense. "A little more time is necessary, we need to work some more on solving problems. The lawsuit won't run away. Good will and resolving problems are most important."

The two presidents were agreed that the border issue should be negotiated and that if agreement was not possible, it should be put to international arbitration.

Josipovic said one of the most important issues was the fate of people missing from the war on both sides, adding "this is above politics. It's a human and moral obligation of us all."

He said "the door is open" when it came to refugees and that in Croatia there were no obstacles or anyone who would want to prevent returns for political or other reasons.

Speaking of Kosovo, Josipovic said Croatia's position was that Serbia and Kosovo could and must, together with the international community, find an adequate solution, adding that Croatia had no ambitions of mediating in this issue.

Asked if Croatia would support Serbia's request to the UN to open negotiations on Kosovo, Josipovic said that before considering possible UN decisions, one should wait for the ICJ's advisory opinion and for Serbia's demand, adding that it was too early to talk about it.

Tadic said that after the ICJ decision he expected the countries in the region to take into consideration the court's ruling and to endorse Serbia's resolution on finding a compromise and sustainable solution peacefully and through negotiations.

After meeting Tadic in Belgrade, Josipovic and the Croatian delegation went to the northern town of Subotica, where the two presidents are scheduled to attend a commemoration for the 20th anniversary of the Democratic Party of Vojvodina Croats.