Responding to questions from the press, Josipovic said citizens would live better when Croatia earned more, produced better and when its economy was stronger.
"It's not an easy path and I think citizens have made big sacrifices. This should be appreciated. Now we are turning a new page, our European membership which offers us an opportunity -- it doesn't answer all questions -- and it's on us to take advantage of it," he said, adding that he did not refer only to European funds.
"But this competition, which won't be easy, is an opportunity for the good things we have, the best that Croatia has, to help Croatia's economy take off," Josipovic said, adding that it was up to the government to do what it could.
"This government has a mandate, the citizens' trust, so it's up to it to work the best it can. My job is to support it in that."
Responding to a question, he said that as president he had no other constitutional power regarding the economy "other than the general political possibility to advocate good solutions."
He recalled that he had recommended some solutions to reduce poverty and that the government was preparing amendments to some laws.
After yesterday's ratification of Croatia's European Union accession treaty in Germany, the president reiterated his satisfaction that Croatia had met very demanding requirements, "turning into a better society through the negotiations with the EU."
"We realise that hasn't made us perfect. Reforms should continue because we must aspire to make Croatia better than it was yesterday in every respect."
He could not say who would attend the celebration of Croatia's EU accession in Zagreb on July 1, except that many European colleagues would be there and that he was especially satisfied that those from the region would arrive.
"That means they strongly support and appreciate our success in terms of reform and EU accession, while on the other hand, this is our message to them that we too will support them on their European path."