French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a formal dinner in Paris on Friday evening for Croatia’s political and business delegation, headed by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, highlighting the strengthening ties between the two countries.
In his toast, Macron expressed satisfaction with the development of French-Croatian cooperation, noting especially the progress in defence partnerships and a 40% increase in trade since 2021. Earlier in the day, he described Croatia’s path to European Union membership as a “successful story”.
Tribute to French Volunteer Killed in Vukovar
Macron also thanked Croatian authorities for locating the remains of Jean Michel Nicolier, the French volunteer who fought in the defence of Vukovar in 1991. Plenković described Nicolier as “a young man devoted to justice and freedom who came to defend Vukovar, the first European city besieged and destroyed by bombs after 1945”.
A Friendly Football ‘Jab’
In a moment of light-hearted diplomacy, Macron joked that Croatia has become France’s “favourite opponent” in football: “Every time we play Croatia, we become world champions — as in 1998 and 2018,” he said, drawing laughter from guests.
Strong Croatian Business Presence in Paris
Plenković highlighted the strength of the Croatian companies attending the Croatia–France Economic Forum, calling them “proof of what Croatia is today — a dynamic, innovative European country.”
Major Croatian firms participating included Končar, Infobip, Rimac Technology, Ericsson Nikola Tesla, Span, ORQA, HS Produkt, HEP, PPD, Luka Rijeka, Croatia Airlines, Adris Group, Fortenova and Podravka.
The dinner marked another step in deepening bilateral ties, particularly as Croatia and France advance cooperation in defence, trade, technology and innovation.
Dining and Cooking