Josipovic was the first Croatian president to address the Serbian parliament. He did so as part of a two-day official visit to Serbia. Before the talk, he met with Speaker Nebojsa Stefanovic.
"Even though the history of the relations between Croats and Serbs is long, I am the first Croatian president in history who has the honour to address the deputies of the People's Assembly. This fact alone says that the relations between our countries have come to the point of final maturity. This means that we are democratic countries which have the political will and the determination to close the circle of conflict and make room for genuine partnership," Josipovic said, applauded by about 200 MPs and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
"The calvary Croatia went through in the '90s we remember as a struggle for our survival, freedom and independence. We remember the images of demolished towns and villages, the numerous crimes and unhappy destinies. Among the victims and people with unhappy destinies there were, we realise, many of our fellow Serb citizens."
Josipovic said he realised that Croatia and Serbia differently assessed some historical circumstances but added that "we must be united in the condemnation of every crime because that is the only way to send future generations a message which guarantees that crimes will never be repeated."
The Croatian president said he did not "accept that a difficult history makes us enemies forever or at least parties which just can't find a common language."
"I don't accept hopelessness and defeatism. They are expressions of fear, ignorance and powerlessness, of lack of vision and self-confidence. We aren't entitled to excuses and delaying the job that must be done for the well-being of our states and peoples."
"We must learn from the past, but with all due respect for the past, our obligation is life today and life tomorrow. Our states, our citizens must live to see a solution to all the problems burdening our relations, they must have the possibility to use all the good that we can do through cooperation to mutual benefit," said Josipovic.
"Finally, and most difficultly, it is necessary to restore trust. Without mutual trust, it won't be possible to solve the truly important issues. That's a challenge because in all that is the truth, which for many in Serbia is certainly different from the one we know in Croatia."
Josipovic also commented on the respect of the rights of the Serb national minority in Croatia, saying that job was not over. "In Croatia, we have done a lot so that citizens can exercise their rights but, unfortunately, the job is not over. Here, I will meet again with Croatian Serb citizens who left their homes under the burden of war. I will tell them again that they all have the right to return and the right to their property."
"In both states, we often point out that we have excellent regulations protecting minority communities. But, always and again, we see that we haven't done enough, that there is still discrimination, lack of respect for minority rights, incitement to segregation and hatred. Both sides are always responsible for inter-ethnic relations. But, everywhere and always, the main responsibility for the quality of inter-ethnic relations in the state lies with the majority community - Croats in Croatia and Serbs in Serbia," said the Croatian president.
He also spoke of the ties linking the two peoples. "Long is the list of Serbs to whom Croatia is immeasurably indebted to in science, education, culture, the economy, sports and politics. I am sure that you in Serbia too recognise the contribution Croats have given to Serbia."
Josipovic also spoke of Croatia's accession negotiations and entry to the European Union, announcing that Croatia would support Serbia during its EU negotiations.
Later today, he will meet with representatives of associations of Croatian Serb refugees and the missing from the war. On Thursday, he and Nikolic will attend a meeting of Croatian and Serb business people as well as visit a Croat-populated village near Subotica.