Europe recognises Croatia as independent nation 27 years ago today

15 January 2019 – 27 years ago today the European Community formally recognised Croatia as an independent nation. 

On 15 January 1992, 12 countries making up the European Community – France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Great Britain, Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Portugal – finally recognised Croatia as an independent state.

“Today, 15 January 1992, will be engraved in golden letters all of the 14 century history of the Croatian people in this area, for us the holy ground between the Mura, Drava, the Danube and the Adriatic Sea. Having declared its independence and sovereignty, and breaking state-legal ties with the former Yugoslav Federation, the Republic of Croatia has achieved international recognition of its independence,” Croatian President at the time Franjo Tuđman said to the nation during a television address.

Two days earlier on 13 January 1992, the Vatican, with Pope John Paul II at the helm, decided not to wait for European governments and formally recognised Croatia. 

Croatia had earlier, on 25 June 1991, declared independence after resounding vote at a referendum on the nation’s independence on May 19, 1991, where 93.24% voted in favour.

Iceland will always be remembered as the first internationally recognised nation to recognise Croatia (19 December 1991), Germany followed the same day, whilst Slovenia was the first country to recognise Croatia (one day after Croatia declared independence).