President Ivo Josipovic said that visit of the Serbian Orthodox Church delegation contributes to peace and friendship among people, religions and nations. After meeting with Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Irinej and a delegation of the Serbian Orthodox Church Holy Synod, Josipovic has underlined that Croatia will continue to protect religious rights of its citizens of all confessions, including the Serbian Orthodox Church. Patriarch Irinej expressed satisfaction over the opportunity to visit representatives of the Croatian state and church. We want peoples of Croatia and Serbia to be close, because we are Christians, said Patriarch. He added that they held useful talks regarding the Serbian people and Church in Croatia. The Serbian Orthodox Church dignitaries also met with Archbishop of Zagreb Cardinal Josip Bozanic and members of the Permanent Council of the Croatian Bishops' Conference, as well as Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic.