The beginning of Croatia's presidency of the Council of the European Union will be officially marked in Zagreb next week, when the entire European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as European Council President Charles Michel, will visit Zagreb.

European Council President Michel will arrive in Zagreb on January 9, and during the day he will meet with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and in the evening attend a ceremony marking the start of Croatia’s EU presidency at the Croatian National Theatre (HNK).

After the ceremony, a dinner will be hosted by President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.

All EC commissioners, led by von der Leyen, will arrive in Zagreb slightly later on Thursday and will attend the ceremony at the HNK.

On Friday, January 10, a meeting will be held between the European Commission and the Croatian government at the National and University Library.

PM Plenkovic will talk with EC President von der Leyen and Croatian ministers will hold talks with European commissioners who cover the ministers’ departments.

Von der Leyen will also meet with Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic.

Plenkovic and von der Leyen will hold a joint news conference, after which Plenkovic will host a working lunch for EC members and his government ministers.