"My message is that Serbia is happy about the success of each of its neighbours, that Serbia never prevented anyone from living better, that Serbia didn't obstruct Croatia's EU path by wishing that some Croatian-Serbian agreements be met," Nikolic told reporters in Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he received the town's honorary citizen charter.

He said EU entry was very significant for Croatian citizens. "I congratulate the Croatian people and wish them to live better and that by fitting into European rules, they will show that today they think differently about neighbours and about states," Nikolic said, hopeful that Serbia will soon be in the same company.

"I hope the European Union won't leave us two steps below Croatia, that wouldn't be good. But I repeat, Serbia wants to be a foundation of peace and stability in the Balkans. The entire Europe knows that isn't possible without Serbia."

Asked if Serbia would soon get the status of membership negotiator, Nikolic said, "Of course it will!"

He expects the Croatian and Serbian economies to strengthen ties to appear on third markets despite the new circumstances after Croatia becomes part of the EU.

"I know that Croatia won't be able to do without Serbia on some broader, global scale, that we will have to do a lot to connect the economies again and have joint products and joint companies with which we will appear on markets that are currently open to Serbia," Nikolic said, adding that he meant Africa, Asia, the Arab world, Latin America and the entire East.