After the meeting, Josipovic told the press that they had discussed the economic situation in the country and exchanged views on further developments, adding that they all agreed that both the government and the Opposition should direct their efforts at improving the situation in the country.

"The President of the Republic, who does not conduct party policies, must know what the Opposition thinks and how it sees the situation in Croatia," Josipovic said, describing the talks as open and useful.

The Opposition leaders presented their views on "how Croatia should go on", the president said, adding that the meeting did not rule out the president's obligation to cooperate with the government.

In attendance at the talks were presidents Zoran Milianovic of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Radimir Cacic of the Croatian People's Party (HNS), Ivan Jakovcic of the regional Istrian Democratic Party (IDS), Vladimir Sisljagic of the regional HDSSB party, Daniel Srb of the Croatian Party of Rights (HSP) and Silvano Hrelja of the Croatian Pensioners' Party (HSU).

Josipovic declined to reveal details of the meeting, adding that it was "of a consultative nature" and that the Opposition leaders outlined different views on how to bail Croatia out of the present crisis.

"It is not up to me to interpret. However, there is the common wish and ambition: the situation in Croatia must improve and all of us -- both the ruling coalition and the Opposition -- must make efforts accordingly," he said.