25th anniversary of Croatia’s international recognition

Twenty-five years ago on 15 January 1992, twelve member states of then-European Community officially recognized Croatia and Slovenia as independent countries

Twenty-five years ago on 15 January 1992, twelve member states of then-European Community officially recognized Croatia and Slovenia as independent countries. The decision was reached unanimously at a meeting on 17 December 1991 and came into force on 15 January 1992.

Croatia’s then-president Franjo Tuđman said that “throughout its history, despite all the hardships and hindrances, Croatia has preserved its national and state identity, and has after full nine centuries returned to the international community as a free and internationally recognized country. Croatia, independent and sovereign, will not fail its Europe and the free world.”

Croatia defended its freedom in the Homeland War, and has in the quarter century of its independence achieved all of its strategic goals – UN, NATO and EU membership.

On the same day six years later, 15 January 1998, the peaceful reintegration was completed when Croatian Podunavlje was returned to Croatia’s legal and constitutional system. 

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