Development of Bilateral Relations
Australia recognized the Republic of Croatia on 16 January 1992, thus becoming the first overseas country to do so, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 13 February 1992. Croatian Embassy in Canberra was opened in March 1993 and the Croatian community in Australia, which has contributed to the fast recognition, should also, due to persistent lobbying, be given a credit for the opening of the Australian Embassy in Zagreb in October 1999.
Bilateral relations between Croatia and Australia are generally very good and friendly. An important role in the bilateral relationship has a large Croatian community living in Australia, which is a strong link between the two countries. With a significant space and mutual interest to further strengthen the bilateral relaitons in all areas, multilateral cooperation and dialogue on global issues also have an important role in relations between the two countries.
Overview of working and official high level meetings:
Bilateral relations between Croatia and Australia are generally very good and friendly. An important role in the bilateral relationship has a large Croatian community living in Australia, which is a strong link between the two countries. With a significant space and mutual interest to further strengthen the bilateral relaitons in all areas, multilateral cooperation and dialogue on global issues also have an important role in relations between the two countries.
Overview of working and official high level meetings:
- 1993 – Speaker of Croatian Parliament visited Australia
- 1993 – Cardinal Edward Clancy, Archbishop of Sydney and President of Episcopal Conference of Australia visited Croatia
- 1995 – Official visit of the President of the Republic of Croatia Dr Franjo Tudjman to Australia
- 1997 – Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock in working visit to Croatia
- 1998 – Andrew Theophanous, MP, visited Croatia
- 2001 – Speaker of the House of Representatives Neil Andrew visited Croatia
- 2001 – Official visit of Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula to Australia
- 2002 – Croatian Minister for Agriculture Bozidar Pankretić visited Australia
- 2003 – A Delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade oft he Australian Parliament, led by Bruce Baird, visited Croatia
- 2003 – Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Zlatko Tomčić visited Australia
- 2003 – Croatian Minister for Culture Antun Vujić visited Australia
- 2003 – Member of Parliament of Western Australia Ljiljanna Ravlich visited Croatia
- 2004 – visit to Australia by Deputy Speaker of Croatian Parliament Vesna Pusić
- November 2005 – Croatian Minister for Foreign Affairs Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović visited Australia
- April 2007 – Minister for Education of Western Australia on a working visit to Croatia
- September 2007 – Governor of New South Wales Marie Bashir visited Croatia
- September 2008 – President of Australian Senate John Hogg with a Parliamentary Delegation visited Croatia
- July 2010 – Minister for Police and Natural Disasters of New South Wales in working visit to Croatia
- March 2014 – Working visit of Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanović to Australia
- June 2014 - Member of Parliament of Western Australia Tony Krstičević visited Croatia and participated in the First Croatian Diaspora Congress
- October 2014 – Australian Federal Minister for Environment Greg Hunt visited Croatia