- by croatiaweek
- January 15, 2026
- in
Split
ZAGREB, 15 January 2026 – Croatia today marks the 34th anniversary of its international recognition, a date that firmly established the country as an independent and sovereign state on the global stage.
On 15 January 1992, the twelve member states of the then European Community formally recognised Croatia.
These were France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Spain and Portugal.
Recognition on the same day also came from Austria, Canada, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Malta, Norway and Switzerland. By the end of January 1992, a total of 44 countries worldwide had recognised Croatia’s independence.
As a result, 15 January is commemorated annually as the Day of International Recognition in Croatia.
Addressing the nation in a televised speech on that historic day, then-President Franjo Tuđman described the moment as one of lasting significance in Croatian history.
He stated that Croatia, having proclaimed its independence and severed constitutional ties with the former Yugoslav federation, had secured international acknowledgment of its sovereignty.
Croatia’s path to recognition began earlier. On 25 June 1991, the country formally declared independence following a referendum held on 19 May 1991, in which an overwhelming 93.24 per cent of voters supported the move towards a sovereign Croatian state.
Iceland holds a special place in Croatian history as the first internationally recognised state to recognise Croatia, doing so on 19 December 1991. Slovenia, meanwhile, became the first country to recognise Croatia, extending recognition just one day after Croatia declared independence.
Today, Croatia enjoys widespread international recognition. However, three countries have yet to formally recognise the Republic of Croatia: Bhutan, Niger and Tonga.
Bhutan maintains diplomatic relations with only a limited number of countries, deliberately avoiding broad ties, even with major powers, to preserve its foreign policy independence.
Croatia has limited strategic interest in pushing hard with these nations, Bhutan, Niger and Tonga have very selective or regionally focused foreign policies. There are no political conflicts involved; it’s mostly inertia.
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