(ANSA) - ZAGREB, NOV 25 - French President Emmanuel Macron was welcomed today in Zagreb by Croatian President Zoran Milanović, at the opening of the official part of his visit to the Balkan country, the first of a French president in Croatia, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in the area of defense.

After the talks, Plenković and Macron will sign a joint declaration of strategic partnership, enlarging and reinforcing a similar document already adopted in 2010, within the framework of the European Defense Fund.

Then the respective Defense ministers will formalize the agreement on the purchase, for one billion euros, of twelve used F3R Rafale multi-role fighter aircraft to renovate the squadron of the Croatian Air Force, now composed of Mig-21, almost all of which disused. Immediately following, two Rafale aircraft will fly over the Croatian capital. (ANSA).