There are many topics on which we will cooperate, notably on the strengthening of Europe's global competitiveness and the creation of jobs for young people in Croatia and Great Britain, Lidington said at a reception for Croatian President Ivo Josipovic at the Foreign Office.

Great Britain pays a lot of attention to the Western Balkan countries and Croatia's accession provides them with an example they should follow, he said.

Lidington said Croatia's EU accession was a historic moment, stressing that Croatia had gone through the toughest accession negotiations and a deep political change since the beginning of integration in 2001.

He said EU accession was the beginning of a new path, perhaps more difficult than the negotiations, but a path that would provide Croatian citizens with numerous membership benefits.

Josipovic said his visit to Great Britain was a message to business people, scientists, tourists and all other Britons that Great Britain and Croatia were European and global partners.

Croatia will join the EU on July 1, becoming an equal member of the European community, and is grateful to Great Britain for the assistance and the good will, he said.

Josipovic said an increasing number of British tourists were coming to Croatia and that many Britons had bought property there, adding that it was now time for London and Zagreb to work on joint political projects and business deals, notably investments.

He voiced hope that Croatia would be recognised as a success story and a bridge to the countries of Southeast Europe whose EU accession is supported by both Croatia and Great Britain.

Asked about the relations with Serbia and the possibility of a meeting with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, Josipovic reiterated that they should officially meet after something visible was done and when the meeting would send a strong message of progress in Belgrade-Zagreb relations.

He voiced confidence that that moment would come soon, saying he expected Nikolic and Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic to come to Zagreb to a celebration of Croatia's EU entry.

Asked about a referendum on Britain's exit from the EU expected to be held by the end of 2017, Lidington said the referendum was the only way to close the discussion in Britain on the benefits and shortcomings of EU membership.

Prime Minister David Cameron has clearly said that political and economic reforms are in the interest of all member countries and that his goal is to conduct in the next three years a thorough discussion on staying in the Union based on those reforms, he said.