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Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic (R, front) and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (L, front) attend a welcoming ceremony in Zagreb, capital of Croatia, March 21, 2019. Croatia is the "bridge" between the European bloc and the Southeast European countries with which it joins the common past, said German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is on an official two-day visit to Croatia, here on Thursday. (Xinhua/Goran Stanzl)

ZAGREB, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Croatia is the "bridge" between the European bloc and the Southeast European countries with which it joins the common past, said German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is on an official two-day visit to Croatia, here on Thursday.

The German president was welcomed at the residence of Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic. After a joint conversation of the two leaders, they said that bilateral ties between the two countries will be even more successful after 2020 when both countries are presiding over the European Union.

Croatia assumes the EU presidency on Jan. 1 2020, and on July 1 it will be chaired by Germany.

Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic informed her guest that during the presidency Croatia would organize summits of South East Europe countries with the theme of further EU enlargement.

The presidents agreed that the European Union should not lose in bilateral disputes, and that the elections for the European Parliament should decide on the future of the EU.

"In Europe, there are many things to do today, and the European elections in May will decide on various drafts for the future of the European Union," Steinmeier said in a statement to reporters.

President Grabar-Kitarovic highlighted the important role of Germany in the international recognition of Croatia and emphasized the appreciation of Germany's strong support for Croatia's membership in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

"The EU will become stronger when Croatia enters the Schengen area and the Eurozone," the Croatian president said.

Steinmeier pointed out that the whole area of south-east Europe was faced with difficulties, but overwhelmingly open questions had to be overcome.

"In Europe, dealing with the difficulties of the past has wasted the road to the future," Steinmeier said.