"This meeting in Mainz, too, shows the importance and value of the great German-Croatian friendship," Josipovic said after talks with Beck, which were also attended by Croatian Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Gordan Jandrokovic.

Josipovic said he and his host talked about Croatia's European Union accession process, but primarily about economic relations.

"We saw that the economy of this federal state has recovered very well from the crisis and I think that we in Croatia could use their experience," he said.

"We talked about the fact that Croatia really needs a new investment cycle and, what is important, we have partners for that here in Germany," said Josipovic, mentioning an economic forum due later today which would bring together German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle and his Croatian counterpart Djuro Popijac as well as business people from both countries.

Minister President Beck said he was pleased with the visit of the senior Croatian delegation, adding that Rheinland-Pfalz was very interested in contributing to the nurturing of "good and intensive relations" between Germany and Croatia.

Beck said his state and Croatia would cooperate in border protection.

We agreed on cooperation regarding the Schengen area and greater police cooperation on that front, he said.

Later today, the last day of his three-day visit to Germany, Josipovic is scheduled to meet former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.

Josipovic said "Kohl is a legend of German and European politics and is especially important in Croatian history as he strongly helped Croatia's independence through his political engagement." Last year, Kohl was bestowed a high Croatian decoration.

Josipovic and Beck also commented on a protest rally to be held outside the Rheinhessen Chamber of Industry and Commerce, organised against Josipovic's visit by the German branch of the right-wing Croatian Pure Party of Rights.

Josipovic said protesting was a democratic right, both in Germany and in Croatia. "Protests are nothing out of the ordinary. Who wants to protest is welcome."

Beck said the protest was not directed against Josipovic but at pointing out that victims must not be forgotten.

We are united in our estimate that such problems must be solved through legal cooperation, he said.

According to announcements, Josipovic will be asked from the rally to distance himself from killings committed by the former Yugoslav secret service Udba.