Serbia and Croatia must get closer to each other in the future, because "here where we live the only thing that thrives is hatred," Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday.

“Last night I called Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and wished her a merry Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I’m sure Mrs Grabar-Kitarovic and I can do a lot together,” Vucic said in an interview with the pro-government Pink television channel.

Vucic thanked the leader of the Croatian minority in Serbia, Tomislav Zigmanov, for cooperation, noting that Zigmanovic had recently described him as a “reliable partner”.

Vucic said that Serbia had made good on all of its promises to the Croatian community in the northern province of Vojvodina. “Of 26 things promised, 23 have been completed and three are still being dealt with.”

He said that regardless of the “ongoing campaign” against him in Croatia, all the promises made to the Croatian community in Vojvodina and elsewhere in Serbia would be fulfilled.

Vucic said that this year Serbian exports to Croatia were larger than Croatian exports to Serbia “even though they are economically stronger than us.” He added that it would take Serbia about ten years to catch up with Croatia economically.

“Whatever they may say of me, whatever campaign they may lead against the Serbs, we will do all we can for the Croats in Vojvodina to feel better,” Vucic said.

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