On this day 31 years ago, Croatia became an internationally recognized country.
On 15 January 1995, Croatia was recognized by all 12 member states of the European Community, as well as Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Hungary, Malta, Norway, Poland, and Switzerland. Slovenia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Latvia, Iceland, Estonia, the Holy See, and San Marino had already done the same. By end-January 1992, Croatia was recognized by a total of 44 countries, and the number kept growing in the following months. Croatia’s status of a sovereign and independent country was underscored in 1992, when it joined numerous international organizations, from the OSCE to the UN.
“This day is important for Croatia in a number of ways. On this day in 1992, emotions ran high as we watched the achievements of our diplomacy and received news about recognitions of Croatia’s independence. After victory in the Homeland War and liberation of occupied territories, peaceful reintegration of the Danube River Region began in 1995, with the help of the UN, and finalized on 15 January 1998. Exactly 25 years ago, Croatia achieved territorial unity within internationally recognized borders. Croatia’s independence marks the realization of centuries-old dream of its people. Today, Croatia is a member state of the EU and NATO, and a partner in various other global and regional organizations, initiatives and processes. This year, we have joined the Schengen Area and eurozone. This is also the legacy of the first Croatian president Franjo Tuđman, the Croatian defenders, as well as all Croats at home and abroad – each had in their own way contributed to the realization of full freedom and statehood, territorial integrity, democracy, the rule of law and international affirmation,” underlined Minister Grlić Radman.
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