Barroso will also address the Croatian national parliament (Sabor).
President Barroso is looking forward to his visit to the future 28th EU member, a source from his office told Hina today.
Barroso will use the visit to encourage Croatian leaders and citizens to carry out the remaining reforms necessary for bringing the accession negotiations to closure, which we expect to happen soon, the same source said.
Seven policy chapters in Croatia's EU entry talks remain to be closed.
Barroso last visited Zagreb in May 2007, during a summit meeting of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP).
The European Commission's chief and the enlargement commissioner will depart from Zagreb on Friday morning. They will also visit Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Macedonia during their tour of Southeast Europe.
The purpose of the visit is "to stress the Commission's support to the European perspective of the Western Balkans region and to encourage further necessary reforms in the countries concerned to help accelerate their progress on the road towards EU," the European Commission said in a press release.
"The countries of South Eastern Europe belong in the European Union," Barroso was quoted as saying.
"The progress achieved in recent years in different areas should act as a catalyst for the whole region to move decisively towards the EU. I will encourage the leaders of our partner countries to accelerate their reforms and tackle the outstanding challenges and conditions with renewed vigour. Now is the time to deliver," he added.
Commissioner Fuele was quoted as saying that "2011 is a year of opportunities for the enlargement policy and for the whole Western Balkans. A lot can be done if our partners live up to the expectations of their citizens and deliver on reforms. I hear a lot about enlargement fatigue. For me, it is a myth: like the yeti - often discussed, but never seen."
"Let us fight this myth together through reforms which deliver benefits to the people," the commissioner added.