Belgrade press reported about the inauguration ceremony, saying that a large number of Croatian and foreign political officials attended the event, but not representatives of Serbia.

Politika daily said that Josipovic in his inaugural speech repeated the promises he made during his election campaign and that he underlined that the time had come for Croatia to right the wrong and to change things that make people unequal, things that divide and humiliate them.

The daily cited Josipovic as promising that he would not get tired of fighting for justice and that he would fight all forms of discrimination. The daily also said that Josipovic underlined the need to further develop good relations with all neighbouring countries.

Blic daily said that the new Croatian president, composer and lawyer, was standing out from the political cliches, adding that Croatian citizens and neighbouring countries placed high hopes in him.

Blic said Serbia too expected a lot from Josipovic.

Danas daily cited the head of the Serbian Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee, Dragoljub Micunovic, as saying that Serbian President Boris Tadic and Josipovic could meet very soon, possibly next months. He said that Tadic's absence from Josipovic's inauguration should not deteriorate the two countries' relations.

Danas said said the Serbian president did not come to the inauguration ceremony because it was attended by the president of Kosovo, a former Serb province that declared independence from Belgrade in 2008.

Danas also said the event was attended by the presidents of all countries in the region, the Croatian state leadership, European Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele, United States Deputy Secretary Jacob Lew and many others.