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.
Bulgaria–Greece relations refer to bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Greece.
The foreign, diplomatic, economic, and political relations between Croatia and the United States were established on April 7, 1992 following the dissolution of Yugoslavia. After Croatia's debut as an independent state in 1996, the U.S. established the country as its most important political connection to Southeast Europe. Modern relations are considered to be warm and friendly, with stalwart bilateral collaboration. The Croatian diaspora in the U.S. is estimated to be around 500,000 which, in part, informs the foreign policy of Croatia. The two nations have strong connectivity through tourism, immigration, foreign aid, and economic mutualism.
Greece and Ukraine have deep ties due to Orthodox Christianity and enjoy strong diplomatic relations, due to Greece’s active diplomatic support for Ukraine over the Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. Greece is also one of the main supporters of Ukraine’s entry into the European Union and NATO. Greece recognized Ukraine on December 31, 1991. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. Greece opened an embassy in Kyiv in 1993, general-consulates were set up in Mariupol and Odesa. Ukraine has opened an embassy in Athens and since April 2004 a general-consulate in Thessaloniki. Both countries are full members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. There is a large Greek community living in Ukraine. Ukraine was first settled by the Greeks as early as 500 B.C. The Ukrainian city of Odesa was founded by ancient Greek colonists, being also the place where the Filiki Eteria secret organization was founded. Greece is a member of the European Union, which Ukraine applied for in 2022.
Both Greece and Spain are members of the European Union, NATO, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the OECD, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the United Nations.
Bilateral relations exist between Armenia and Croatia. Diplomatic relations between the countries were established on 8 July 1996. Armenia is represented in Croatia by its embassy in Rome, Italy, while Croatia is represented in Armenia by its embassy in Athens, Greece. In 2011, both countries have established honorary consulates, Armenia's residing in Zagreb, while Croatia's residing in Yerevan, the capitals of the respective countries.
Croatia and Iran established diplomatic relations on April 18, 1992 when Iran became the 7th country in the world and the first among Asian and Muslim-majority countries to recognize the newly independent Croatia. Croatia has an embassy in Tehran while Iran has an embassy and a cultural center in Zagreb. Relations among two countries are described as good and friendly.
The Hellenic Republic recognised the Republic of Estonia on May 19, 1922. Greece never recognised the Soviet annexation of Estonia. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on October 2, 1991. In April 1997, Estonia has established an embassy in Athens. The Greek embassy in Tallinn opened in January 2005. Estonia has also 4 honorary consulates in Patras, Piraeus, Agios Nikolaos and Thessaloniki. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the European Union and NATO.
The foreign relations between Croatia and Slovenia are bound together by shared history, neighboring geography and common political ideologies. Both states established diplomatic relations in 1992, following the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the independence of Croatia. Modern relations are warm and friendly. The two states have disputes over their border and sovereign rights over certain nuclear and economic assets. The countries share 670 km (420 mi) of common border. They are perennially each other's largest trading partners on an import-export basis.
The foreign relations between Albania and Croatia are bound together by shared history, neighboring geography and common political ideologies. Both states established diplomatic relations in 1992, following the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the independence of Croatia. They have historically shared a special relationship due to their convergent nation-building efforts. Modern relations are warm and friendly.
Croatia–Spain relations are the bilateral relations between Croatia and Spain. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on March 9, 1992 following Croatia's independence from SFR Yugoslavia. The two nations enjoy largely positive relations. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Chile and Croatia both enjoy friendly relations, the importance of which centers on the history of Croatian migration to Chile. There is a community of approximately 200,000 - 400,000 Chileans of Croatian descent.
Full diplomatic relations between Croatia and Israel were established on April 9, 1997 following Croatia's independence from SFR Yugoslavia. Croatia has an embassy in Tel Aviv and honorary consulates in Ashdod, Caesarea, Jerusalem and Kfar Shmaryahu. Israel has an embassy in Zagreb. Relations between the two countries are described as friendly and highly cooperative. In recent years, Croatia and Israel have intensified bilateral relations and defence and security cooperation. Croatia is one of the countries Israel occasionally turns to inside the EU to advocate on its behalf and it generally abstains or votes with Israel on key EU votes at the UN. Israeli president Reuven Rivlin described Croatia in 2019 as "Israel's strong ally in the EU, the UN and other multilateral organizations."
Croatia–Sweden relations are foreign relations between Croatia and Sweden. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 January 1992. Croatia has an embassy in Stockholm. Sweden has an embassy in Zagreb and 2 honorary consulates.
Croatia–Syria relations are bilateral relations between Croatia and the Syrian Arab Republic. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 August 1997. Croatia is represented in Syria through its embassy in Cairo in Egypt and an honorary consulate in Damascus. Syria is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Budapest, Hungary and an honorary consulate in Zagreb. Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean, although Syria suspended its membership in 2011.
Cyprus–Germany relations are the bilateral relations between Cyprus and Germany. Germany is represented in Cyprus through its embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus is represented in Germany through its embassy in Berlin, Germany. Both countries are members of the European Union, Council of Europe and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Croatia–Malaysia relations refers to bilateral foreign relations between Croatia and Malaysia. Croatia has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has an embassy in Zagreb.
Croatia–Mexico relations are the bilateral relations between Croatia and Mexico. Both countries are mutual members of the United Nations. Neither country has a resident ambassador.
From the establishment of the European Economic Community in 1957 until the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, thus during the Cold War period, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the first socialist state to develop relations with the organisation. Notwithstanding occasional and informal proposals coming from both sides, Yugoslavia never became a full member state of the EEC.
Croatia–North Macedonia relations are foreign relations between Croatia and North Macedonia. Two countries established diplomatic relations on 30 March 1992. Croatia is represented in North Macedonia via its Embassy in Skopje and honorary consul in Strumica while North Macedonia is represented in Croatia via its Embassy and the Cultural and Informational Center in Zagreb as well as consulate in Rijeka and honorary consul in Zadar. Croatia supports North Macedonia's European Union membership. Before their independence in early 1990s, both countries were constituent republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as the SR Croatia and SR Macedonia respectively. Croatia was one of the first countries in the world to recognize the independence of the country during the period in which Zagreb itself awaited international recognition. During the long-lasting Macedonia naming dispute (1991–2019) and before the signature of the Prespa agreement Croatia was the first country in the world to recognize North Macedonia under its constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia instead of appellation "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia". Today, both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, and of the NATO. Croatia is an EU member and North Macedonia is an EU candidate. Since 2006 North Macedonia is a member state of the Central European Free Trade Agreement while Croatia was a member of the area between 2003 and 2013. Croatia strongly supports accession of North Macedonia to the European Union and also supported its NATO membership, being one of the first countries to ratify the membership protocol. Trade between the two countries reached 221 million euros in 2020.
