Barbaso is expected to meet top Croatian officials to discuss Croatia's negotiating process, the implementation of public administration and judiciary reforms and issues regarding to minority rights and the return of refugees, the statement said.
The EC official will arrive in Zagreb approximately a month after the opening of Croatia's EU entry talks and only a day after the EC's report on Croatia's progress.
During his two-day visit to Zagreb Barbaso will meet Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, finance Minister Ivan Suker and other government members as well as members of the Parliamentary Committee on European Integration and National Committee for monitoring Croatia's EU membership talks, the statement said.