Foreign relations of Croatia

The foreign relations of Croatia is primarily formulated and executed via its government which guides the state's interactions with other nations, their citizens, and foreign organizations. Active in global affairs since the 9th century, modern Croatian diplomacy is considered to have formed following their independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. As an independent state, Croatia established diplomatic relations with most world nations – 187 states in total – during the 1990s, starting with Germany (1991) and ending most recently with Togo (2023). Croatia has friendly relations with most of its neighboring countries, namely Slovenia, Hungary, Montenegro, Albania, and Italy. They maintain colder, more tense relations with Serbia as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina due to historic nation-building conflict and differing political ideologies.

Croatia is seen as a stabilizing influence in Southeast Europe due to its political alignment with the Western world. It maintains strong relations with the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union (E.U.), joining the organization in 2013. Croatia is a military ally to the U.S., U.K., and E.U. through its membership in NATO, having joined in 2009. The economy of Croatia is one of the largest in Southeast Europe with $80.1 billion in nominal gross domestic product (GDP). The country receives foreign aid from the IMF and USAID.

Their foreign policy objectives have shifted since the Croatian War of Independence. During the 1990s, Croatia sought to gain international recognition and join the United Nations (2000), later seeking entry into NATO (2009) and the European Union (2013). Modern policy objectives are regional stabilization, influence in international organizations, and strengthening multilateral cooperation. Succession issues following the 1991-92 dissolution of Yugoslavia continue to complicate regional relations. Croatia has outstanding border disputes, sovereign ownership issues, and treaty disagreements with multiple neighbors.

Croatia is a member of the United Nations (UN), the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization (WTO), Union for the Mediterranean and a number of other international organizations. The Council of Europe has been led by Croatian diplomat Marija Pejčinović Burić since 2019.

History

Croatian-Italian diplomat Roger Joseph Boscovich, 1760

The first native Croatian ruler recognised by the Pope was duke Branimir, who received papal recognition from Pope John VIII on 7 June 879. Tomislav was the first king of Croatia, noted as such in a letter of Pope John X in 925. Maritime Republic of Ragusa (1358-1808) maintained widespread diplomatic relations with the Ottoman Empire, Republic of Venice, Papal States and other states. Diplomatic relations of the Republic of Ragusa are often perceived as a historical inspiration for the contemporary Croatian diplomacy. During the Wars of the Holy League Ragusa avoided alignment with either side in the conflict rejecting Venetian calls to join the Holy League.

Antun Mihanović, author of the anthem of Croatia, spent over 20 years as a consul of the Austrian Empire in Belgrade (Principality of Serbia), Bucharest (Wallachia) and Istanbul (Ottoman Empire) starting in 1836. The Yugoslav Committee, political interest group formed by South Slavs from Austria-Hungary during World War I, petitioned Allies of World War I and participated in international events such as the Congress of Oppressed Nationalities of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Association for the Promotion of the League of Nations Values was active in Zagreb in the interwar period organizing lectures by Albert Thomas, Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson and Ludwig Quidde. During World War II, the Axis puppet state known as the Independent State of Croatia maintained diplomatic relations with several different countries in Europe.

Socialist Republic of Croatia within Yugoslavia

See also: Foreign relations of Yugoslavia

Embassy of Croatia in Austria, 2015

While each constitution of Yugoslavia defined foreign affairs as a federal level issue, over the years Yugoslav constituent republics played increasingly prominent role in either defining this policy or pursuing their own initiatives. Number of diplomats from Croatia gained significant experience in the service to the prominent Cold War era Yugoslav diplomacy.

In June 1943 Vladimir Velebit became the point of contact for foreign military missions in their dealings with the Yugoslav Partisans. Ivan Šubašić (1944-1945), Josip Smodlaka (NKOJ: 1943–1945), Josip Vrhovec (1978-1982) and Budimir Lončar (1987-1991) led the federal level Ministry of Foreign Affairs while numerous Croatian diplomats served in Yugoslav embassies or multilateral organizations. In 1956 Brijuni archipelago in People's Republic of Croatia hosted the Brioni Meeting, one of the major early initiatives leading to the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement. Between 1960 and 1967 Vladimir Velebit was executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. During the Croatian Spring Croatian economist Hrvoje Šošić argued for the separate admission of the Socialist Republic of Croatia into the United Nations similar to the membership of Ukrainian and Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic which led to his imprisonment. In 1978, Croatia together with SR Slovenia joined the newly established Alps-Adriatic Working Group. The breakup of Yugoslavia led to mass transfers of experts from federal institutions enabling post-Yugoslav states to establish their own diplomatic bodies primarily by employing former Yugoslav cadres. The 2001 Agreement on Succession Issues of the Former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia formally assigned to Croatia a portion of the diplomatic and consular properties of the previous federation.

Foreign policy since independence

Ministers of Foreign Affairs: Vesna Pusić (2011-2016), Mate Granić (1993-2000) and Tonino Picula (2000-2003)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs building at the Nikola Šubić Zrinski Square, 2007

Croatia was a member state of CEFTA between 2003 and 2013. Maps of CEFTA in 2003 and 2007.

On 17 December 1991 the European Economic Community adopted the "Common Position for the recognition of the Yugoslav Republics" requesting the Yugoslav republics wishing to gain recognition to accept provisions of international law protecting human rights as well as national minorities rights in hope that credible guarantees may prevent incentives for violent confrontations. Later that month Croatian Parliament introduced the Constitutional Act on the Rights of National Minorities in the Republic of Croatia opening the way for 15 January 1992 collective recognition by the Community. Croatia maintained some links beyond the Euro-Atlantic world via its observer status in the Non-Aligned Movement which it enjoyed already at the 10th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Following the international recognition of Croatia in 1992 the country was faced with the Croatian War of Independence between 1992 and 1995. A significant part of the country was outside of the control of the central government with the declaration of self-proclaimed unrecognized Republic of Serbian Krajina. In 1992 signing of the Sarajevo Agreement led to the cease-fire to allow UNPROFOR deployment in the country. Diplomatic efforts led to unsuccessful proposals which included the Daruvar Agreement and Z-4 Plan. In 1995 UNCRO mission took over the UNPROFOR mandate yet soon after Operation Storm led to a decisive victory for the Croatian Army with only the Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Syrmia remaining initially as a rump territory of Krajina. A diplomatic solution that avoided conflict in Eastern Slavonia was reached on 12 November 1995 via the signing of the Erdut Agreement with significant support and facilitation from the international community (primarily the United States, and with United Nations and various European actors). Temporary UNTAES administration over the region opened the way for the signing of the Dayton Agreement which ended the Bosnian War. It also led to the signing of 1996 Agreement on Normalization of Relations between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Croatia.

With the resolution of some of the major bilateral issues arising from the Yugoslav Wars Croatian foreign policy has focused on greater Euro-Atlantic integration, mainly entering the European Union and NATO. The progress was nevertheless slow in the period between 1996 and 1999 with rising concerns over authoritarian tendencies in the country. In order to gain access to European and trans-Atlantic institutions, it has had to undo many negative effects of the breakup of Yugoslavia and the war that ensued, and improve and maintain good relations with its neighbours. Croatia has had an uneven record in these areas between 1996 and 1999 during the right-wing HDZ government, inhibiting its relations with the European Union and the United States. In 1997 United States diplomacy even called upon its European partners to suspend Croatia from the Council of Europe as long as country fails to show adequate respect for human and minority rights. Lack of improvement in these areas severely hindered the advance of Croatia's prospects for further Euro-Atlantic integration. Progress in the areas of Dayton, Erdut, and refugee returns were evident in 1998, but progress was slow and required intensive international engagement. Croatia's unsatisfactory performance implementing broader democratic reforms in 1998 raised questions about the ruling party's commitment to basic democratic principles and norms. Areas of concern included restrictions on freedom of speech, one-party control of public TV and radio, repression of independent media, unfair electoral regulations, a judiciary that is not fully independent, and lack of human and civil rights protection.

With the 1999 death of President Franjo Tuđman, 2000 Croatian parliamentary election as well as corresponding regional changes such as the Overthrow of Slobodan Milošević, the European Union organized the 2000 Zagreb and 2003 Thessaloniki Summits in which European integration perspective was discussed for all the countries in the region. The new SDP-led centre-left coalition government slowly relinquished control over public media companies and did not interfere with freedom of speech and independent media, though it did not complete the process of making Croatian Radiotelevision independent. Judiciary reforms remained a pending issue as well. The government's foreign relations were severely affected by the hesitance and stalling of the extradition of Croatian general Janko Bobetko to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and inability to take general Ante Gotovina into custody for questioning by the Court. Nevertheless, Croatia managed to enter NATO's Partnership for Peace Programme in May 2000, World Trade Organization in July 2000, signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU in October 2001, Membership Action Plan in May 2002, and joined the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) in December 2002. The EU membership application was the last major international undertaking of the Račan government, which submitted a 7,000-page report in reply to the questionnaire by the European Commission. Negotiations were initiated with the achievement of the full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal in October 2005. Croatian president Stjepan Mesić participated in the NAM conferences in Havana in 2006 and Sharm el-Sheikh in 2009 using the country's post-Yugoslav link with the Third World in its successful campaign for the Eastern European Spot at the United Nations Security Council in 2008–2009 (in open competition with Czech Republic which was a member state both of EU and NATO).

Refugee returns accelerated since 1999, reached a peak in 2000, but then slightly decreased in 2001 and 2002. The OSCE Mission to Croatia, focusing on the governed by the UNTAES, continued to monitor human rights and the return of refugees until December 2007 with the OSCE office in Zagreb finally closing in 2012. Croatian Serbs continue to have problems with restitution of property and acceptance to the reconstruction assistance programmes. Combined with lacking economic opportunities in the rural areas of former Krajina, the return process was only partial.

Accession to the European Union

Main article: 2013 enlargement of the European Union

  EU members in 2013

  Croatia

At the time of Croatia's application to the European Union, three EU members states were yet to ratify the Stabilization and Association Agreement: United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Italy. The new Sanader government elected in 2003 elections repeated the assurances that Croatia will fulfill the missing political obligations, and expedited the extradition of several ICTY inductees. The European Commission replied to the answers of the questionnaire sent to Croatia on 20 April 2004 with a positive opinion. The country was finally accepted as EU candidate in July 2004. Italy and United Kingdom ratified the Stabilization and Association Agreement shortly thereafter, while the ten EU member states that were admitted to membership that year ratified it all together at a 2004 European Summit. In December 2004, the EU leaders announced that accession negotiations with Croatia would start on 17 March 2005 provided that Croatian government cooperates fully with the ICTY. The main issue, the flight of general Gotovina, however, remained unsolved and despite the agreement on an accession negotiation framework, the negotiations did not begin in March 2005. On 4 October 2005 Croatia finally received green light for accession negotiations after the Chief Prosecutor of the ICTY Carla Del Ponte officially stated that Croatia is fully cooperating with the Tribunal. This has been the main condition demanded by EU foreign ministers for accession negotiations. The ICTY called upon other southern European states to follow Croatia's good example. Thanks to the consistent position of Austria during the meeting of EU foreign ministers, a long period of instability and the questioning of the determination of the Croatian government to extradite alleged war criminals has ended successfully. Croatian Prime minister Ivo Sanader declared that full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal will continue. The accession process was also complicated by the insistence of Slovenia, an EU member state, that the two countries' border issues be dealt with prior to Croatia's accession to the EU.

Croatia finished accession negotiations on 30 June 2011, and on 9 December 2011, signed the Treaty of Accession. A referendum on EU accession was held in Croatia on 22 January 2012, with 66% of participants voting in favour of joining the Union. The ratification process was concluded on 21 June 2013, and entry into force and accession of Croatia to the EU took place on 1 July 2013.

Current events

The main objective of the Croatian foreign policy is positioning within the EU institutions and in the region, cooperation with NATO partners and strengthening multilateral and bilateral cooperation.

Government officials in charge of foreign policy include the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, currently Gordan Grlić-Radman, and the President of the Republic, currently Zoran Milanović.

Croatia has established diplomatic relations with 186 countries around the world. As of 2009, Croatia maintains a network of 51 embassies, 24 consulates and eight permanent diplomatic missions abroad. Furthermore, there are 52 foreign embassies and 69 consulates in the Republic of Croatia in addition to offices of international organizations such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Organization for Migration, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), World Bank, World Health Organization, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), United Nations Development Programme, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and UNICEF.

International organizations

Republic of Croatia participates in the following international organizations: CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU, FAO, G11, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, ITUC, NAM (observer), NATO, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMOGIP, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

There exists a Permanent Representative of Croatia to the United Nations.

Foreign support

Croatia receives support from donor programs of:

• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
• European Union
• International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
• International Monetary Fund
• USAID

Between 1991 and 2003, the EBRD had directly invested a total of 1,212,039,000 EUR into projects in Croatia.

In 1998, U.S. support to Croatia came through the Southeastern European Economic Development Program (SEED), whose funding in Croatia totaled $23.25 million. More than half of that money was used to fund programs encouraging sustainable returns of refugees and displaced persons. About one-third of the assistance was used for democratization efforts, and another 5% funded financial sector restructuring.

In 2003 USAID considered Croatia to be on a "glide path for graduation" along with Bulgaria. Its 2002/2003/2004 funding includes around $10 million for economic development, up to $5 million for the development of democratic institutions, about $5 million for the return of population affected by war and between 2 and 3 million dollars for the "mitigation of adverse social conditions and trends". A rising amount of funding is given to cross-cutting programs in anti-corruption, slightly under one million dollars.

The European Commission has proposed to assist Croatia's efforts to join the European Union with 245 million euros from PHARE, ISPA and SAPARD aid programs over the course of 2005 and 2006.

International disputes

Relations with neighbouring states have normalized somewhat since the breakup of Yugoslavia. Work has begun — bilaterally and within the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe since 1999 — on political and economic cooperation in the region.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Main article: Bosnia and Herzegovina–Croatia relations

Consulate-General in Banja Luka, 2011

Discussions continue between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina on various sections of the border, the longest border with another country for each of these countries. Sections of the Una river and villages at the base of Mount Plješevica are in Croatia, while some are in Bosnia, which causes an excessive number of border crossings on a single route and impedes any serious development in the region. The Zagreb-Bihać-Split railway line is still closed for major traffic due to this issue. The border on the Una river between Hrvatska Kostajnica on the northern, Croatian side of the river, and Bosanska Kostajnica on the southern, Bosnian side, is also being discussed. A river island between the two towns is under Croatian control, but is also claimed by Bosnia. A shared border crossing point has been built and has been functioning since 2003, and is used without hindrance by either party.

The Herzegovinian municipality of Neum in the south makes the southernmost part of Croatia an exclave and the two countries are negotiating special transit rules through Neum to compensate for that. Recently Croatia has opted to build a bridge to the Pelješac peninsula to connect the Croatian mainland with the exclave but Bosnia and Herzegovina has protested that the bridge will close its access to international waters (although Croatian territory and territorial waters surround Bosnian-Herzegovinian territory and waters completely) and has suggested that the bridge must be higher than 55 meters for free passage of all types of ships. Negotiations are still being held.

Italy

Main article: Croatia–Italy relations

The relations between Croatia and Italy have been largely cordial and friendly. Occasional incidents do arise on issues such as the Istrian–Dalmatian exodus or the Ecological and Fisheries Protection Zone.

Montenegro

Main article: Croatia–Montenegro relations

Croatia and Montenegro have a largely latent border dispute over the Prevlaka peninsula, and maintain friendly relations.

Serbia

Main articles: Croatia–Serbia relations and Croatia–Serbia border dispute

The border between Croatia and Serbia in the area of the Danube is disputed while at the same time the issue is not considered of the highest priority for either country in their bilateral relations. The issue therefore only occasionally entered into in the public debate with other open issues being higher on the agenda, yet with some commentators fearing that the issue may once be used as an asymmetric pressure tool in the accession of Serbia to the European Union. While Serbia holds the opinion that the thalweg of the Danube valley and the centerline of the river represents the international border between the two countries, Croatia disagrees and claims that the international border lies along the boundaries of the cadastral municipalities located along the river—departing from the course at several points along a 140-kilometre (87 mi) section. The cadastre-based boundary reflects the course of the Danube which existed in the 19th century, before meandering and hydrotechnical engineering works altered its course. The area size of the territory in dispute is reported variously, up to 140 square kilometres (54 square miles) and is uninhabited area of forests and islands. Croatian and Serbian authorities have made only occasional attempts to resolve the issue with the establishment of a joint commission that rarely met and the 2018 statement by presidents of the two countries that the issue will be brought to international arbitration if agreement is not reached until 2020.

Slovenia

Main articles: Croatia–Slovenia relations and Croatia–Slovenia border disputes

Croatia and Slovenia have several land and maritime boundary disputes, mainly in the Gulf of Piran, regarding Slovenian access to international waters, a small number of pockets of land on the right-hand side of the river Dragonja, and around the Sveta Gera peak. The two states contested the sovereign ownership of Yugoslav bank Ljubljanska banka, which ended in Slovenia's favor. The status of Croatian depositors' savings in the bank remains an outstanding issue. Slovenia was disputing Croatia's claim to establish the Ecological and Fisheries Protection Zone, an economic section of the Adriatic.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Croatia maintains diplomatic relations with:

#	Country	Date
1	Germany	15 January 1992
2	Austria	15 January 1992
3	Italy	17 January 1992
4	Hungary	18 January 1992
5	Sweden	29 January 1992
6	Switzerland	30 January 1992
7	Denmark	1 February 1992
8	Portugal	3 February 1992
9	Liechtenstein	4 February 1992
10	Slovenia	6 February 1992
–	Holy See	8 February 1992
11	Netherlands	11 February 1992
12	Australia	13 February 1992
13	Latvia	14 February 1992
14	Ukraine	18 February 1992
15	Finland	19 February 1992
16	Norway	20 February 1992
17	New Zealand	25 February 1992
18	Estonia	2 March 1992
19	Spain	9 March 1992
20	Belgium	10 March 1992
21	Paraguay	13 March 1992
22	Lithuania	18 March 1992
23	North Macedonia	30 March 1992
24	Poland	11 April 1992
25	Argentina	13 April 1992
26	Chile	15 April 1992
27	Iran	18 April 1992
28	France	24 April 1992
29	Luxembourg	29 April 1992
30	Malaysia	4 May 1992
31	Czech Republic	11 May 1992
32	China	13 May 1992
33	Russia	25 May 1992
34	United Arab Emirates	23 June 1992
35	United Kingdom	24 June 1992
36	Morocco	26 June 1992
37	Iceland	30 June 1992
38	Malta	30 June 1992
39	India	9 July 1992
40	Sudan	17 July 1992
41	Greece	20 July 1992
42	Moldova	20 July 1992
43	Bosnia and Herzegovina	21 July 1992
44	United States	11 August 1992
45	Bulgaria	13 August 1992
46	Albania	25 August 1992
47	Turkey	26 August 1992
48	Romania	29 August 1992
49	Indonesia	3 September 1992
50	Thailand	9 September 1992
51	Cuba	23 September 1992
52	Belarus	25 September 1992
53	Egypt	1 October 1992
54	Algeria	15 October 1992
55	Kazakhstan	20 October 1992
56	South Korea	18 November 1992
57	South Africa	19 November 1992
58	Singapore	23 November 1992
59	Bolivia	26 November 1992
60	North Korea	30 November 1992
61	Qatar	5 December 1992
62	Mexico	6 December 1992
63	Guatemala	22 December 1992
–	Sovereign Military Order of Malta	22 December 1992
64	Brazil	23 December 1992
65	Slovakia	1 January 1993
66	Nigeria	7 January 1993
67	Peru	12 January 1993
68	Yemen	17 January 1993
69	Bahrain	18 January 1993
70	Tunisia	18 January 1993
71	Georgia	1 February 1993
72	Cyprus	4 February 1993
73	Venezuela	8 February 1993
74	San Marino	11 February 1993
75	Ghana	17 February 1993
76	Philippines	25 February 1993
77	Japan	5 March 1993
78	Mongolia	10 March 1993
79	Canada	14 April 1993
80	Uruguay	4 May 1993
81	São Tomé and Príncipe	23 May 1993
82	Tanzania	2 July 1993
83	Samoa	8 March 1994
84	Jordan	29 June 1994
85	Vietnam	1 July 1994
86	Pakistan	20 July 1994
87	Cape Verde	19 August 1994
88	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	7 October 1994
89	Kuwait	8 October 1994
90	Angola	16 November 1994
91	Lebanon	5 December 1994
92	Azerbaijan	26 January 1995
93	Ireland	27 January 1995
94	Uzbekistan	6 February 1995
95	Colombia	25 April 1995
96	Andorra	28 April 1995
97	Burkina Faso	18 May 1995
98	Saudi Arabia	8 June 1995
99	Zambia	20 September 1995
100	Ethiopia	17 October 1995
101	Ivory Coast	17 October 1995
102	Costa Rica	19 October 1995
103	Guinea-Bissau	19 October 1995
104	Afghanistan	3 January 1996
105	Belize	23 January 1996
106	Ecuador	22 February 1996
107	Laos	4 March 1996
108	Nicaragua	29 March 1996
109	Panama	12 June 1996
110	Turkmenistan	2 July 1996
111	Armenia	8 July 1996
112	Mozambique	23 August 1996
113	Serbia	9 September 1996
114	Cambodia	10 September 1996
115	Jamaica	9 October 1996
116	Kyrgyzstan	23 December 1996
117	Sri Lanka	14 February 1997
118	Maldives	8 April 1997
119	Oman	30 June 1997
120	Barbados	11 July 1997
121	Fiji	14 July 1997
122	El Salvador	24 July 1997
123	Syria	29 August 1997
124	Mauritius	3 September 1997
125	Israel	4 September 1997
126	Seychelles	30 September 1997
127	Senegal	1 October 1997
128	Papua New Guinea	5 December 1997
129	Guinea	8 December 1997
130	Saint Lucia	10 December 1997
131	Suriname	17 December 1997
132	Bangladesh	18 December 1997
133	Nepal	6 February 1998
134	Brunei	1 May 1998
135	Namibia	22 June 1998
136	Gambia	16 October 1998
137	Lesotho	6 November 1998
138	Malawi	13 November 1998
139	Zimbabwe	12 February 1999
140	Uganda	10 March 1999
141	Tajikistan	1 April 1999
142	Eritrea	4 June 1999
143	Antigua and Barbuda	15 June 1999
144	Comoros	29 June 1999
145	Myanmar	3 September 1999
146	Chad	17 September 1999
147	Honduras	20 September 1999
148	Federated States of Micronesia	29 September 1999
149	Haiti	15 October 1999
150	Libya	30 March 2000
151	Vanuatu	18 April 2000
152	Grenada	19 May 2000
153	Nauru	4 December 2000
154	Dominican Republic	5 February 2001
155	Benin	26 March 2001
156	Mali	13 September 2001
157	Gabon	22 October 2001
158	Cameroon	18 October 2002
159	East Timor	5 February 2003
160	Guyana	25 February 2003
161	Sierra Leone	23 July 2003
162	Mauritania	24 November 2004
163	Kenya	1 December 2004
164	Iraq	4 January 2005
165	Botswana	9 September 2005
166	Montenegro	7 July 2006
167	Madagascar	27 September 2006
168	Republic of the Congo	10 May 2007
169	Democratic Republic of the Congo	18 October 2007
170	Equatorial Guinea	19 October 2007
171	Monaco	14 December 2007
–	Kosovo	30 June 2008
172	Trinidad and Tobago	14 December 2011
173	Solomon Islands	18 April 2012
174	Dominica	30 April 2013
175	Palau	26 September 2015
176	Saint Kitts and Nevis	27 May 2016
177	Kiribati	26 August 2016
178	Bahamas	31 January 2017
179	Djibouti	22 May 2017
180	Rwanda	15 February 2018
181	Eswatini	5 April 2019
182	Marshall Islands	24 September 2019
183	Tuvalu	2 November 2020
184	Burundi	14 May 2021
185	South Sudan	16 November 2021
186	Somalia	4 February 2022
187	Central African Republic	18 September 2023
188	Togo	18 September 2023

Bilateral relations

Multilateral

Organization	Formal Relations Began	Notes
European Union		See 2013 enlargement of the European Union Croatia joined the European Union as a full member on 1 July 2013.
NATO		See Croatia–NATO relations Croatia joined NATO as a full member on 1 April 2009.

Africa

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Algeria	15 October 1992	Croatia has an embassy in Algiers. Algeria has an embassy in Zagreb.
Angola	16 November 1994	Croatia is represented in Angola through its embassy in Lisbon (Portugal). Angola is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria).
Benin	26 March 2001	Croatia is represented in Benin through its embassy in Paris (France). Benin is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Geneva (Switzerland).
Botswana	9 September 2005	Diplomatic relations between Botswana and Croatia were established on 9 September 2005.
Burkina Faso	18 May 1995	Croatia is represented in Burkina Faso through its embassy in Paris (France). Burkina Faso is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria) and consulate in Zagreb.
Cape Verde	13 August 1994	Croatia is represented in Cape Verde through its embassy in Lisbon (Portugal). Cape Verde is not represented in Croatia.
Central African Republic	September 18, 2023	Croatia maintains diplomatic relations with the C.A.R.
Chad	17 September 1999	Croatia is represented in Chad through its embassy in Paris (France). Chad is not represented in Croatia.
Comoros	29 June 1999	Croatia is represented in Comoros through its embassy in Pretoria (South Africa). Comoros is not represented in Croatia.
Côte d'Ivoire	17 October 1995
Djibouti	25 May 2017	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 May 2017.
Egypt	1 October 1992	See Croatia–Egypt relations Croatia has an embassy in Cairo and an honorary consulate in Alexandria. Egypt has an embassy in Zagreb. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Egypt
Eritrea	4 June 1999	Croatia is represented in Eritrea through its embassy in Cairo (Egypt). Eritrea is not represented in Croatia.
Ethiopia	17 October 1995	Croatia is represented in Ethiopia through its embassy in Cairo (Egypt). Ethiopia is not represented in Croatia.
Gabon	22 October 2001	Croatia is represented in Gabon through its embassy in Rabat (Morocco). Gabon is not represented in Croatia.
Gambia	16 October 1998	Croatia is represented in Gambia through its embassy in London (UK). Gambia is represented in Croatia through its embassy in London (UK).
Ghana	17 February 1993	Croatia is represented in Ghana through its embassy in London (UK). Ghana is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Rome (Italy).
Guinea-Bissau	19 October 1995	Croatia is represented in Guinea-Bissau through its embassy in Lisbon (Portugal). Guinea-Bissau is not represented in Croatia.
Kenya	22 May 1992	Croatia is represented in Kenya through its embassy in Pretoria (South Africa). Kenya has a consulate in Zagreb, accredited to its embassy in Rome (Italy).
Lesotho	6 November 1998	Croatia is represented in Lesotho through its embassy in Pretoria (South Africa). Lesotho is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Rome (Italy).
Liberia	N/A	Croatia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Liberia.
Libya	30 March 2000	See Croatia–Libya relations Croatia has evacuated its embassy in Tripoli due to the worsening of security situation in the country. Libya has an embassy in Zagreb. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Libya
Madagascar	27 September 2006	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 September 2006.
Malawi	13 October 1998	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 November 1998.
Mali	20 September 1995	Croatia is represented in Mali through its embassy in Rabat (Morocco). Mali is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Rome (Italy).
Mauritania	11 November 2004	Croatia is represented in Mauritania through its embassy in Rabat (Morocco). Mauritania is not represented in Croatia.
Mauritius	3 September 1997	Croatia is represented in Mauritius through its embassy in Pretoria (South Africa). Mauritius is not represented in Croatia.
Morocco	26 June 1992	Croatia has an embassy in Rabat. Morocco has an embassy in Zagreb. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Morocco
Mozambique	23 August 1996	Croatia is represented in Mozambique through its embassy in Pretoria (South Africa). Mozambique is not represented in Croatia.
Namibia	22 June 1998	Diplomatic relations between Croatia and Namibia were established on 22 June 1998.
Niger	N/A	Croatia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Niger.
Nigeria	7 January 1993	Croatia is represented in Nigeria through its embassy in London (UK). Nigeria is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary).
São Tomé and Príncipe	23 May 1993	Croatia is represented in São Tomé and Príncipe through its embassy in Lisbon (Portugal). São Tomé and Príncipe is not represented in Croatia.
Senegal	1 October 1997	Croatia is represented in Senegal through its embassy in Rabat (Morocco). Senegal is not represented in Croatia.
Seychelles	30 September 1997	Croatia is represented in Seychelles through its embassy in Pretoria (South Africa). Seychelles is not represented in Croatia.
South Africa	19 November 1992	Croatia has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary), and consulate in Zagreb. There are around 1500 to 2000 Croats who live in South Africa. As of 2006, the two countries have a trade agreement. South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Croatia
Sudan	17 July 1992	Croatia is represented in Sudan through its embassy in Cairo (Egypt). Sudan is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Rome (Italy).
Tanzania	2 July 1993	Croatia is represented in Tanzania through its embassy in Pretoria, (South Africa). Tanzania is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Rome, (Italy).
Togo	20 December 1993	Croatia is represented in Tongo through its embassy in Paris (France). Togo is not represented in Croatia.
Tunisia	30 January 1993	Croatia is represented in Tunisia through its embassy in Rabat (Morocco) and consulate in Tunis. Tunisia is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria) and consulate in Zagreb. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Tunisia Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Croatia (in French only)
Uganda	10 March 1999	Croatia is represented in Uganda through its embassy in Pretoria (South Africa). Uganda is not represented in Croatia.
Zambia	20 September 1995	Croatia is represented in Zambia through its embassy in Pretoria (South Africa). Zambia is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Paris (France).
Zimbabwe	12 February 1999	Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 12, 1999.

Americas

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Antigua and Barbuda	20 September 1999	Croatia is represented in Antigua and Barbuda through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (USA). Antigua and Barbuda is represented in Croatia through its through its embassy in Vienna (Austria).
Argentina	13 April 1992	See Argentina–Croatia relations Croatia has an embassy in Buenos Aires. Argentina is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary). More than 400,000 Argentinians are of Croatian descent. List of Treaties ruling relations Argentina and Croatia (Argentine Foreign Ministry, in Spanish)
Bahamas	31 January 2017	Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Commonwealth of Bahamas was signed on 31 January 2017.
Belize	23 January 1996	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 January 1996.
Bolivia	26 November 1992	Croatia is represented in Bolivia through its embassy in Santiago (Chile) and 2 consulates in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Cochabamba. Bolivia is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria).
Brazil	23 December 1992	Brazil has an embassy in Zagreb. Croatia has an embassy in Brasília and consulate in São Paulo.
Canada	14 April 1993	Croatia has an embassy in Ottawa, a consulate general in Mississauga, and an honorary consulate in Saint John. Canada has an embassy in Zagreb. Both countries are members on NATO.
Chile	15 April 1992	See Chile–Croatia relations Chile has an embassy in Zagreb and 3 consulates in Zagreb, Rijeka and Split. Croatia has an embassy in Santiago and 2 consulates in Antofagasta and Punta Arenas. It is officially accepted that there are up to 380,000 Chileans of Croatian descent
Colombia	25 April 1995	Colombia is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria). Croatia is represented in Colombia through its embassy in Brasilia (Brazil). Croatia is defined as an ally by Colombia on the war on drugs and as an example to follow after a post-conflict situation
Costa Rica	19 October 1995	Croatia is represented in Costa Rica through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (US). Costa Rica is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria).
Cuba	23 September 1992	Croatia is represented in Cuba through its embassy in Madrid (Spain). Cuba is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria). Croatian President Stjepan Mesić made a state visit to Cuba in September 2009. Croatia and Cuba signed 16 agreements about cooperation. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Cuba)
Dominica	2013	Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Commonwealth of Dominica was signed on 30 July 2013.
Ecuador	22 February 1996	Croatia is represented in Ecuador through its embassy in Santiago (Chile). Ecuador is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary). A honorary consulate for Croatia was established in Guayaquil in 2022.
El Salvador	24 July 1997	Croatia is represented in El Salvador through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (US). El Salvador is not represented in Croatia.
Grenada	19 May 2000	Croatia is represented in Grenada through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (USA).
Guatemala	22 December 1992	Croatia is represented in Guatemala through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (US). Guatemala is not represented in Croatia.
Guyana	25 February 2003	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 February 2003. Croatia is represented in Guyana through its Permanent Mission in New York City.
Honduras	20 September 1999	Croatia is represented in Honduras through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (US). Honduras is not represented in Croatia.
Jamaica	9 October 1996	Croatia is represented in Jamaica through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (USA).
Mexico	6 December 1992	See Croatia–Mexico relations Croatia is represented in Mexico through its embassy in Washington, D.C. (US) and consulate in Mexico City. Mexico is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary) and consulates in Zagreb and Split.
Nicaragua	29 March 1996	Croatia is represented in Nicaragua through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (US) and embassy in Brasilia (Brazil). Nicaragua is not represented in Croatia.
Panama	12 June 1996	Croatia is represented in Panama through its embassy in Washington, D.C. (US). Panama is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Piraeus (Greece).
Paraguay	13 March 1992	Croatia is represented in Paraguay through its embassy in Buenos Aires (Argentina). Paraguay is not represented in Croatia.
Peru	12 January 1993	Croatia is represented in Peru through its embassy in Santiago (Chile) and consulate in Lima. Peru is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Bucharest (Romania) and consulate in Zagreb. There are around 6,500 people of Croatian descent living in Peru.
Saint Lucia	10 December 1997	Croatia is represented in Saint Lucia through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (USA).
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	7 October 1994	Croatia is represented in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (USA).
Suriname	17 December 1997	Croatia is represented in Suriname through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York (US) and embassy in Brasilia (Brazil). Suriname is not represented in Croatia.
Trinidad and Tobago	14 December 2011	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 December 2011.
United States of America	11 August 1992	See Croatia–United States relations Croatia has an embassy in Washington, D.C., and three consulates-general in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago; as well as six honorary consulates in Seattle, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Houston, Anchorage and New Orleans. United States has an embassy in Zagreb. Both countries are members of NATO.
Uruguay	4 May 1993	See Croats in Uruguay Croatia is represented in Uruguay through its embassy in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and consulate in Montevideo. Uruguay is not represented in Croatia. According to UN estimates there are some 3,300 people of Croat descent living in Uruguay. Other estimates place the figure at around 5,000.
Venezuela	9 October 1992	Croatia is represented in Venezuela through its embassy in Brasilia (Brazil). Venezuela is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria).

Asia

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Afghanistan	3 January 1996	Croatia is represented in Afghanistan through its embassy in Ankara (Turkey). Croatian Presidents Stjepan Mesić, Ivo Josipović and Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović visited Afghanistan several times. Croatia has few hundred deployed personnel in Afghanistan as part of the NATO Resolute Support Mission. They work on training other soldiers and do not participate in combats. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Afghanistan
Armenia	8 July 1994	See Armenia–Croatia relations Armenia has an embassy in Zagreb. Croatia has an honorary consulate in Yerevan. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Armenia
Azerbaijan	26 January 1995	See Azerbaijan–Croatia relations Azerbaijan has an embassy in Zagreb. Croatia has an embassy in Baku. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Azerbaijan
Bahrain	18 January 1993	Croatia is represented in Bahrain through its embassy in Cairo (Egypt). Bahrain is not represented in Croatia.
Bhutan	N/A	Croatia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Bhutan.
Cambodia	10 September 1996	Croatia is represented in Cambodia through its embassy in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Cambodia is not represented in Croatia.
China (People's Republic)	13 May 1992	See also: China–Croatia relations Croatia has an embassy in Beijing and a general consulate in Hong Kong. China has an embassy in Zagreb. On 16 May 2002, Croatian president Stjepan Mesić made a state visit to China, while Chinese president Hu Jintao made a state visit to Croatia on 19 June 2009. On 21 May 2007, Croatian Foreign Minister Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović visited Beijing, and again as President of Croatia on 13–18 October 2015. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Croatia Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with China
Georgia	1 February 1993	See Croatia–Georgia relations Croatia is represented in Georgia through its embassy in Athens (Greece) and consulate in Tbilisi. Georgia is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary). Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe. Croatia is an EU member and Georgia is an EU candidate.
India	9 July 1992	See Croatia–India relations Croatia has an embassy in New Delhi and 2 consulate in Mumbai and Kolkata. India has an embassy in Zagreb. See also Hinduism in Croatia Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with India
Indonesia	3 September 1992	Croatia has embassy in Jakarta. Indonesia has embassy in Zagreb. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Indonesia
Iran	18 April 1992	See Croatia–Iran relations Croatia has an embassy in Tehran. Iran has an embassy and a cultural centre in Zagreb. Croatia and Iran signed 24 agreements of cooperation.
Iraq	4 January 2005	Croatia has an embassy in Baghdad. Iraq has an embassy in Zagreb.
Israel	4 September 1997	See Croatia–Israel relations Croatia has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 4 consulates in Ashdod, Caesarea, Jerusalem and Kfar Shmaryahu. Israel has an embassy in Zagreb. See also History of the Jews in Croatia Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Israel Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Israel embassy in Zagreb
Japan	5 March 1993	See Croatia–Japan relations Croatia has an embassy in Tokyo. Japan has an embassy in Zagreb. Princess Sayako visited Croatia in 2002. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Japan Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Croatia
Jordan	29 June 1994	Croatia is represented in Jordan through its embassy in Cairo (Egypt) and consulate in Amman. Jordan is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Rome (Italy) and consulate in Zagreb. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Jordan
Kazakhstan	20 October 1992	Croatia is represented in Kazakhstan through its embassy in Nur-Sultan and honorary consulate in Almaty. Kazakhstan is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Zagreb and through 2 honorary consulates in Dubrovnik and Umag. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Croatia in 2001 and 2006. Croatian high-ranking officials, including President Stjepan Mesić, Prime Minister Zoran Milanović, and Foreign Minister Vesna Pusić also visited Kazakhstan. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Kazakhstan Kazakhstan & Croatia recognized 25 years of diplomatic relations in 2017.
Kuwait	10 August 1994	Croatia has an embassy in Kuwait City. Kuwait is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Prague (Czech Republic) and consulate in Zagreb.
Kyrgyzstan	23 December 1996	Croatia is represented in Kyrgyzstan through its embassy in Ankara (Turkey).
Laos	4 March 1996	Croatia is represented in Laos through its embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Lebanon	5 December 1994	Croatia is represented in Lebanon through its embassy in Cairo and consulate in Beirut. Lebanon is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Vienna. Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Malaysia	4 May 1992	Croatia is represented in Malaysia through its embassy in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Malaysia has embassy in Zagreb.
Maldives	8 April 1997	Croatia is represented in Maldives through its embassy in New Delhi (India). Maldives is not represented in Croatia.
Mongolia	10 March 1993	Croatia is represented in Mongolia through its embassy in Beijing (China) and consulate in Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria) and consulate in Zagreb. Croatian President Stjepan Mesić visited Mongolia in August 2008, while Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj visited Croatia on 19 October 2011. During the Mongol invasion of Europe from 1241 to 1242, ancient Mongolians and Croats fought in battles in Pannonia and Dalmatia. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: bilateral treaties with Mongolia Mongolian honorary consulate in Zagreb Mongolian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Croatia (in Mongolian only)
Myanmar	3 September 1999
Nepal	6 February 1998	Croatia is represented in Nepal through its embassy in New Delhi and consulate in Kathmandu. Nepal is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Geneva (Switzerland).
North Korea	30 November 1992	Croatia is represented in North Korea through its embassy in Beijing (China). North Korea is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Bucharest (Romania). In January 2016, former Croatian president Stjepan Mesić visited North Korea.
Pakistan	20 July 1994	Croatia is represented in Pakistan through its embassy in Tehran (Iran). Pakistan is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and an honorary consulate in Zagreb. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Pakistan
Philippines	25 February 1993	Croatia is represented in The Philippines through its embassy in Jakarta (Indonesia). The Philippines is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria). Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Philippines
Qatar	5 December 1992	See Croatia–Qatar relations Croatia has an embassy in Doha. Qatar has an embassy in Zagreb.
Saudi Arabia	8 June 1995	See Croatia–Saudi Arabia relations Croatia is represented in Saudi Arabia through its embassy in Cairo (Egypt). Saudi Arabia is not represented in Croatia but citizens that need any assistance are advised to contact the Saudi Arabia embassy in Sarajevo (BiH).
Singapore	23 November 1992	Croatia is represented in Singapore through its embassy in Jakarta (Indonesia). Singapore is not represented in Croatia. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Singapore
South Korea	18 November 1992	See Croatia–South Korea relations The Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Croatia and the South Korea began on 18 November 1992. Croatia has an embassy in Seoul. South Korea has an embassy in Zagreb. Croatian President Stjepan Mesić visited South Korea in April 2006. The number of the South Koreans living in Croatia in 2015 was about 88. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with South Korea South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade about the relations with Croatia (in Korean only) Foreign relations of South Korea#Europe.
Sri Lanka	14 February 1997	Croatia is represented in Croatia through its embassy in New Delhi and consulate in Colombo. Sri Lanka is represented in Sri Lanka through its embassy in Vienna (Austria) and consulate in Zagreb.
Syria	29 August 1997	See Croatia–Syria relations Croatia is represented in Syria through its embassy in Cairo (Egypt) and consulate in Damascus. Syria is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary). On 18 January 2013 Croatian Foreign Ministry declared that Croatia, as well as the entire European Union, recognizes the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces as "only legitimate representatives of the aspirations of the Syrian people". Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Syria
Taiwan	N/A	Croatia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
Tajikistan	1 April 1999	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 April 1999. Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Thailand	9 September 1992	Croatia is represented in Thailand through its embassy in Jakarta (Indonesia) and through a consulate in Bangkok. Thailand is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary) and through consulate in Zagreb. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Thailand
Timor-Leste	5 February 2003	Croatia is represented in East Timor through its embassy in Canberra (Australia). Military of Croatia was part of UNMISET peacekeeping operation in East Timor.
Turkey	26 August 1992	See Croatia–Turkey relations Croatia has an embassy in Ankara and two consulates-general in Istanbul and İzmir. Turkey has an embassy in Zagreb. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and of NATO. Both have been EU candidates since 3 October 2005. (Croatia become a member state on 1 July 2013) Croatia is an EU member and Turkey is an EU candidate. Croatia supports Turkey's accession negotiations to the EU, although negotiations have now been suspended. Turkey has Office of the Defence Attaché and Office of Trading Advisor in Zagreb. List of international treaties and acts signed between Croatia and Turkey Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Croatia
Turkmenistan	2 July 1996	See Croatia–Turkmenistan relations Croatia is represented in Turkmenistan through its embassy in Ankara (Turkey). Turkmenistan is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Bucharest (Romania). Croatian presidents Stjepan Mesić (2008) and Ivo Josipović (2014) as well as the Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanović and Foreign Minister Vesna Pusić (5 December 2014) visited Turkmenistan. Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited Croatia in 2009. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates	23 June 1992	Croatia is represented in United Arab Emirates through its embassy in Cairo (Egypt). United Arab Emirates are represented in Croatia through its embassy in Berlin (Germany).
Uzbekistan	6 February 1995	Croatia is represented in Uzbekistan through its embassy in Ankara (Turkey).
Vietnam	1 July 1994	Croatia is represented in Vietnam through its embassy in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Vietnam is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary). Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Vietnam Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Croatia
Yemen	17 January 1993	Croatia is represented in Yemen through its embassy in Cairo (Egypt). Yemen is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria) and consulate in Zagreb.

Europe

Country	Formal relations began	Notes
Albania	25 August 1992	See Albania–Croatia relations Albania has an embassy in Zagreb. Croatia has an embassy in Tirana. Both countries are full members of NATO. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Albania)
Andorra	28 April 1995	Croatia is represented in Andorra through its embassy in Madrid (Spain). Andorra is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Paris (France).
Austria	15 January 1992	See Austria–Croatia relations Austria has an embassy in Zagreb and 4 honorary consulates in Dubrovnik, Pula, Rijeka and Split. Croatia has an embassy in Vienna and 2 honorary consulates in Graz and Innsbruck. From 1527 until 1918 Croatia and Austria were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with Croatian region Dalmatia being under the Austrian administration. Both countries are full members of the European Union.
Belarus	25 September 1992	See Belarus–Croatia relations Croatia is represented in Belarus through its embassy in Moscow (Russia). Belarus is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria). The states maintain their bilateral relations through their embassies in Moscow. On 16 December 2002 Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Slovakia, Hungary and Croatia signed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation within the project to integrate the Druzhba and Adria oil-pipelines in Zagreb. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Belarus Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus – search for "Croatia"
Belgium	10 March 1992	See Belgium–Croatia relations Belgium has an embassy in Zagreb and 2 honorary consulates in Dubrovnik and Zadar. Croatia has an embassy in Brussels and an honorary consulate in Bruges. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina	21 July 1992	See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Croatia relations Croatia has an embassy in Sarajevo and 4 consulates in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar and Tuzla. Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Zagreb. Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina were part of Yugoslavia from 1918 to 1991. Croats are one out of three constituent nations of BiH. The two countries share a 932-kilometer (579 mi) border. Bosnia and Herzegovina is an EU candidate and Croatia is an EU member.
Bulgaria	13 August 1992	See Bulgaria–Croatia relations Bulgaria has an embassy in Zagreb. Croatia has an embassy in Sofia. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Bulgaria
Cyprus	4 February 1993	See Croatia–Cyprus relations Croatia is represented in Cyprus through its embassy in Rome (Italy) and an honorary consulate in Nicosia. Cyprus is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria) and an honorary consulate in Zagreb. Both countries are full members of the European Union. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Cyprus
Czech Republic	1 January 1993	See Croatia–Czech Republic relations Croatia has an embassy in Prague. Czech Republic has an embassy in Zagreb and 2 honorary consulates in Rijeka and Split. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with the Czech Republic
Denmark	1 February 1992	See Croatia–Denmark relations Croatia has an embassy in Copenhagen and an honorary consulate in Aarhus. Denmark has an embassy in Zagreb and 3 honorary consulates in Dubrovnik, Rijeka, and Split. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Denmark
Estonia	2 March 1992	Croatia is represented in Estonia through its embassy in Helsinki, Finland and honorary consulate in Tallinn. Estonia is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Rome, Italy and honorary consulate in Zagreb. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Finland	19 February 1992	See Croatia–Finland relations Croatia has an embassy in Helsinki. Finland has an embassy in Zagreb and 3 honorary consulates in Rijeka, Split and Zagreb. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatia fully supported Finland's application to join NATO, which resulted in membership on 4 April 2023. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Finland Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Croatia
France	24 April 1992	See Croatia–France relations Croatia has an embassy in Paris and an honorary consulate in Lyon. France has an embassy in Zagreb. Since 2004, Croatia is an observer on the Francophonie. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties signed with France French Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Croatia Archived 10 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
Germany	15 January 1992	See Croatia–Germany relations Croatia has an embassy in Berlin and 5 consulates general in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich and Stuttgart. Germany has an embassy in Zagreb and an honorary consulate in Split. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Greece	20 July 1992	See Croatia–Greece relations Greece has an embassy in Zagreb. Croatia has an embassy in Athens and consulate in Thessaloniki. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: List of treaties between Croatia and Greece Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Croatia Archived 14 July 2006 at the Wayback Machine
Holy See	8 February 1992	See Croatia–Holy See relations Croatia has a resident embassy to the Holy See in Rome. Holy See has a nunciature with a nuncio of ambassadorial rank with additional privileges in Zagreb. According to the 2011 census 86.28% of Croats are Roman Catholic.
Hungary	18 January 1992	See Croatia–Hungary relations Croatia has an embassy in Budapest, a general consulate in Pécs and an honorary consulate in Nagykanizsa. Hungary has an embassy in Zagreb and 2 honorary consulates in Rijeka and Split. From 1102 until 1527 Croatia and Hungary were in a Personal union, and from 1527 until 1918 Austro-Hungarian Empire, most part of Croatia being under Hungarian administration. Today, both countries share 329 km of common border. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Hungary
Iceland	30 June 1992	Croatia is represented in Iceland thought it embassy in Copenhagen (Denmark) and consulate in Reykjavík. Iceland is represented in Croatia thought it embassy in Berlin (Germany) and consulate in Zagreb. Iceland is the first fully sovereign country that recognized Croatia as an independent state. (19 December 1991) Both countries are full members of NATO.
Ireland	27 January 1995	See Croatia-Ireland relations Croatia has an embassy and consulate in Dublin. Ireland has an embassy and consulate in Zagreb. Both countries are full members of the European Union.
Italy	17 January 1992	See Croatia-Italy relations Croatia has an embassy in Rome, 2 general consulates in Milan and Trieste and 5 honorary consulates in Bari, Florence, Montemitro, Naples, and Padua. Italy has an embassy in Zagreb, general consulate in Rijeka, a consulate in Split and 2 honorary consulates in Buje and Pula. Croatia and Italy share maritime border. Italy is most important trading partner to Croatia. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Italy
Kosovo	30 June 2008	See Croatia–Kosovo relations Croatia has an embassy Pristina. Kosovo has an embassy in Zagreb. Croatia has 27 of its soldiers deployed on Kosovo. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Kosovo
Latvia	14 February 1992	Croatia is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Stockholm (Sweden). Latvia is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Prague (Czech Republic) and an honorary consulate in Zagreb. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Latvia Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Croatia
Liechtenstein	4 February 1992	Croatia is represented in Liechtenstein through its embassy in Bern (Switzerland). Liechtenstein is not represented in Croatia.
Lithuania	18 March 1992	Croatia is represented in Lithuania through the Croatian office in Lithuania which is a branch of Croatian embassy in Stockholm (Sweden). Lithuania is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Vienna (Austria) and 2 consulate in Zagreb and Starigrad. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Lithuania Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Croatia (in Lithuanian only) Archived 30 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
Luxembourg	29 April 1992	Croatia is represented in Luxembourg through it embassy in Brussels (Belgium). Luxembourg is represented in Croatia through it embassy in Berlin (Germany). Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Malta	30 June 1992	Croatia is represented in Malta through it embassy in Rome (Italy). Malta is represented in Croatia through its general embassy in Valletta (Malta) and 2 honorary consulate in Zagreb and Split. Both countries are full members of the European Union. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Malta Malta Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Croatia
Moldova	28 July 1992	Croatia is represented in Moldova through its embassy in Bucharest (Romania). Moldova is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Budapest (Hungary). Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe. Croatia is an EU member and Moldova is an EU candidate. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Moldova Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration about relations with Croatia Archived 22 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
Monaco	14 December 2007	Croatia is represented in Monaco through it embassy in Paris (France) and honorary consulate in Monaco. Monaco is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Rome (Italy) and honorary consulate in Zagreb.
Montenegro	7 July 2006	See Croatia–Montenegro relations Croatia has an embassy in Podgorica and consulate in Kotor. Montenegro has an embassy in Zagreb and consulate in Dubrovnik. From 1918 to 1991 Croatia and Montenegro were part of Yugoslavia. Relations between the two countries are promoted through the Croatian-Montenegrin Friendship Society "Croatica-Montenegrina". Croatia is full member of the European Union and NATO while Montenegro is among candidates for membership in both organisations. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Montenegro
Netherlands	23 April 1992	See Croatia–Netherlands relations Croatia has an embassy in The Hague. The Netherlands has an embassy in Zagreb and 3 honorary consulates in Dubrovnik, Opatija and Split. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with the Netherlands Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Croatia (in Dutch only)
North Macedonia	30 March 1992	Croatia has an embassy in Skopje, and the general consulate in Bitola. North Macedonia has an embassy in Zagreb and 2 consulates in Zadar and Rijeka. From 1918 to 1991 Croatia and North Macedonia were part of Yugoslavia. Croatia is full member of the European Union and NATO while North Macedonia is among candidates for membership.
Norway	20 February 1992	See Croatia–Norway relations Croatia has an embassy in Oslo. Norway has an embassy in Zagreb and 2 consulate in Rijeka and Dubrovnik. Both countries are full members of NATO. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Norway
Poland	11 April 1992	See Croatia–Poland relations Croatia has an embassy in Warsaw and 5 consulates in Kraków, Poznań, Bialystok, Bydgoszcz and Opole. Poland has an embassy in Zagreb and consulate in Opatija. Poland has Office of Military Attaché and Department of Trade and Investment Promotion of the Polish Embassy in Zagreb. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Poland
Portugal	3 February 1992	Croatia has an embassy in Lisbon and 2 honorary consulates in Funchal and Porto. Portugal has an embassy in Zagreb. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Portugal
Romania	29 August 1992	See Croatia–Romania relations Croatia has an embassy in Bucharest. Romania has an embassy in Zagreb and consulate in Rijeka. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. See also Istro-Romanians Croatian Foreign Ministry list of bilateral treaties between Croatia and Romania
Russia	25 May 1992	See Croatia–Russia relations Croatia has an embassy in Moscow and an honorary consulate in Kaliningrad. Russia has an embassy in Zagreb. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Russia
San Marino	11 February 1993	Croatia is represented in San Marino through its embassy in Rome (Italy). San Marino is represented in Croatia through its General embassy in San Marino. According to legend San Marino was founded in year 301 by sculptor Saint Marinus from the Croatian island of Rab.
Serbia	9 September 1996 then as FR Yugoslavia and including Montenegro	See Croatia–Serbia relations Croatia has an embassy in Belgrade and a general consulate in Subotica. Serbia has an embassy in Zagreb and 2 general consulates in Rijeka and Vukovar. Both countries shares 241 km of common border. From 1918 to 1991 Croatia and Serbia were part of Yugoslavia. Croatia is full member of the European Union while Serbia is candidate for membership.
Slovakia	1 January 1993	See Croatia–Slovakia relations Croatia has an embassy in Bratislava. Slovakia has an embassy in Zagreb and consulate in Osijek. In addition, since 2014 Slovakian Embassy operates temporary office in Zadar during the summer. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Slovakia
Slovenia	6 February 1992	See Croatia–Slovenia relations Croatia has an embassy in Ljubljana and 2 honorary consulates in Maribor and Koper. Slovenia has an embassy in Zagreb and an honorary consulate in Split. Both countries shares 670 km of common border. From 1918 to 1991 Croatia and Slovenia were part of Yugoslavia. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Sovereign Military Order of Malta	22 December 1992	Sovereign Military Order of Malta has an embassy in Zagreb.
Spain	9 March 1992	See Croatia–Spain relations Croatia has an embassy in Madrid and 4 honorary consulates in Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Pamplona and Seville. Spain has an embassy in Zagreb and 2 honorary consulates in Dubrovnik and Split. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Sweden	29 January 1992	See Croatia–Sweden relations Croatia has an embassy in Stockholm and 2 honorary consulates in Gothenburg and Malmö. Sweden has an embassy in Zagreb and 2 honorary consulates in Rijeka and Split. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. Croatia fully supported Sweden's application to join NATO, which resulted in membership on 7 March 2024. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Sweden
Switzerland	30 January 1992	Croatia has an embassy in Bern, a general consulate in Zürich and 2 honorary consulates in Lugano and Massagno. Switzerland has an embassy in Zagreb, consulate in Split and honorary consulate in Smoljanci. More than 45,000 Croats live in Switzerland. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties signed with Switzerland Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Croatia
Turkey	26 August 1992	See Turkey in Asia Above See Croatia–Turkey relations
Ukraine	18 February 1992	See Croatia–Ukraine relations Croatia has an embassy in Kyiv. Ukraine has an embassy in Zagreb and 2 consulates in Zadar and Malinska. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe. Croatia is an EU member and Ukraine is an EU candidate.
United Kingdom	24 June 1992	See Croatia–United Kingdom relations United Kingdom has an embassy in Zagreb and 2 honorary consulates in Dubrovnik and Split. Croatia has an embassy in London and an honorary consulate in Edinburgh. In March 2007, both countries signed a UK–Croatia Strategic Partnership, by which the United Kingdom fully supports Croatia's EU and NATO entry bids. Both countries are full members of NATO. British Commonwealth and Foreign Office about the relation with Croatia Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties signed with the United Kingdom

Oceania

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Australia	13 February 1992	Australia has an embassy in Zagreb. Croatia has an embassy in Canberra and three consulates general in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Since 2006, 118,051 people living in Australia declared themselves as Croats. Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that in Australia live around 150,000 Croats while the Croatian community in Australia claims to have 250,000 members. Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade about relations with Croatia Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Australia
Fiji	14 June 1997	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 July 1997.
Nauru	14 December 2000	Croatia is represented in Nauru through its embassy in Canberra (Australia). Nauru is not represented in Croatia.
New Zealand	25 February 1992	Croatia is represented in New Zealand through its embassy in Canberra (Australia) and through consulate in Auckland. New Zealand is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Rome (Italy) and through an honorary consulate in Zagreb. According to the Croatian community the number of Croats that live in New Zealand is around 20 and 60 thousand. Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with New Zealand
Tonga	N/A	Croatia does not maintain diplomatic relations with Tonga.
Samoa	8 March 1994	Croatia is represented in Samoa through its embassy in Canberra (Australia). Samoa is not represented in Croatia.
Tuvalu	2 November 2020	Diplomatic relations were established between the Republic of Croatia and Tuvalu in an agreement signed at the United Nations. Croatia is represented in Tuvalu through its embassy in Canberra (Australia). Tuvalu is not represented in Croatia.
Vanuatu	18 April 2000	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 April 2000.

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Croatia
• List of diplomatic missions of Croatia
• List of diplomatic relations of Croatia
• Visa requirements for Croatian citizens
• Croatia and the European Union

External links

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration
• Government of the Republic of Croatia
• EBRD and Croatia
• Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe Archived 1 October 2003 at the Wayback Machine