Although the first mention of the Croatian people appears in historical writings as far back as the 7th century, when Croatia slowly developed from being a small principality to a strong independent kingdom, in modern history Croatia became internationally recognized as a state only in 1992.
Exactly 30 years ago today, on January 15,1992, Croatia established diplomatic relations with Germany, a country that played an important role in the recognition of Croatia in the world having Croatia’s back politically and economically.
On that day, Croatia was recognized by: Belgium, Great Britain, Denmark, Malta, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Hungary, Norway, Bulgaria, Poland, Italy, Canada, Australia, France, Finland, Sweden. By this date this had already been done by the Holy See, Germany, Iceland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia, Ukraine, and San Marino.
The countries that were at the forefront of Croatia’s diplomatic efforts for international recognition were certainly the Holy See and Germany. On October 3, 1991, Vatican diplomacy, as the first in the world, announced that it was working on Croatian international recognition. With the recognition of Croatia on December 18, 1991, Germany awoke a then passive Europe and launched an unstoppable diplomatic action among other members of the European Community who shortly after officially recognized Zagreb as our country’s capital, thus accepting Croatia as an independent republic. In the following days, various European media, almost without exception, welcomed this important decision of their governments.
The Croatian struggle for independence, carried primarily on the backs of our brave defenders, later supported by the diplomatic hand of our friends from abroad, made our beautiful country fly its internationally recognized flag freely and proudly as it deserves.
