"We are determined to settle outstanding issues, primarily humanitarian ones, bilaterally," Sanader told the press, announcing he would visit Belgrade officially for the first time next month. This will be the first meeting of the two countries' representatives on the prime ministerial level.
"The swift normalisation of relations between Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro has no alternative. The wounds from the past definitely have to be healed but, without forgetting the past, we must focus on the future," said Sanader.
Kostunica said the fact that his and Sanader's parties were in the same ideological association, European People's Parties, provided a good basis for settling outstanding issues.
He added the positions he and Sanader were in their countries at present enabled them to work on the advancement of relations between Croatia and Serbia, which he said was significant for the two countries as well as for the stability of Southeast Europe.
Speaking of Croatia's European prospects, Sanader reiterated Croatia's EU membership candidate status was an advantage not only for Croatia but for all its neighbours, notably Serbia and Montenegro.
Kostunica said Croatia had advanced towards the EU, adding he was glad Croatia supported his country on the same path.
Speaking of the process Serbia and Montenegro is undergoing, he said it consisted of "an awareness that only when integrated into the EU will the entire Southeast Europe represent a whole and make it possible for peace and prosperity to finally take hold in the turbulent Balkans".
Sanader voiced confidence an agreement on the protection of national minorities would be signed during his Belgrade visit, saying it would be a big step forward in bilateral relations.
The two officials announced Kostunica would visit Zagreb although no date has been set yet.
In Thessaloniki they attended the eighth dialogue between the Orthodox Church and European People's Parties (Christian Democrats).