"We have the opportunities, we have the possibilities, the government has put forward a set of programmes which I can say are very interesting and I hope the implementation will be as good as the projects. EU membership is a big opportunity for Croatia," Josipovic said after receiving a delegation of the Croatian Fraternal Union.
Josipovic said he intended to personally intensify the economic diplomacy but that success depended on the economy's readiness to offer appropriate programmes. "I can be a medium here."
Josipovic said entrepreneurs would have to manage in the new environment. "Some will find it difficult or be less successful, but I see no reason why Croatia's economy should not use the opportunity at hand."
As for the measures he put forward at the latest joint meeting of his economy and social justice councils, the president said some were being carried out and that the government was preparing something too.
He said it was problematic that the budget would be revised again but that, "since we are aware that we are in an economic crisis, we have to adapt our expenses to the real possibilities."
He said there should be new borrowing "only if necessary and then it should be done under the most favourable terms."
The president said the announced lease of Croatia's motorways was a necessity to plug budget holes, but that he did not know the terms or the contract.