After meetings with the Brodosplit company's management and workers in Split on Monday, Josipovic said that they had assured him that they had the know-how, a market and potential clients, which was why "we can look with optimism at the continuation of work in this shipyard".
The key for the recovery of shipyards, notably of the Split yard, is in the process of privatisation, he told reporters after separate talks with the company's management and employees.
"We know that the European Commission is considering the project and after that it will depend only on the shipyard whether it can survive on the market and how," Josipovic said, adding that it was not good that the restructuring of Croatian shipyards had taken so many years after s decision to this effect was made in 2002.
Asked whether he would discuss this topic with Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, who is expected to visit the Brodosplit next week, Josipovic answered in the affirmative.
I have heard "new information" about the possible continuation of Brodosplit operations and the premier will have an opportunity to learn that during her visit to the company, Josipovic said.
In response to reporters' comments that the draft budget for 2011 envisaged more funds for his office than this year, the president said that it was incorrect, as his office would be provided with "slightly less money".
Some airplane costs have so far been registered as the costs of an agency and now they are transferred to my office. Overall, the funds to be allocated for my office are slightly reduced, the president said.
Asked to comment the the government's proposal to put on hold the adjustment of pensions to salaries and living costs in 2011, he said that this was a matter for the budget and for the parliament to decide.
Asked whether his security had made omissions when war veteran Mariofil Brnadic was allowed to approach him in Split to thank him and give him back 200 kuna he had borrowed, Josipovic said he did not think that had been an omission. The media speculate that Bosnia and Herzegovina has issued a warrant for Brnadic's arrest.
Security services are doing their job very professionally. I simply cannot nor wish to check whether each one of you is wanted for arrest, Josipovic said.