Croatia
More information about Croatia is available on the Croatia Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-CROATIA RELATIONS
The United States established diplomatic relations with Croatia in 1992 following its independence from Yugoslavia. Following Croatia's independence, U.S. engagement aimed to support Croatia's development as a democratic, secure, and market-oriented society and as a strong partner in Euro-Atlantic institutions, and the United States welcomed Croatia's desire to play a positive and stabilizing role in the region. U.S. assistance has been important in enabling Croatia to become a leading partner in Southeast Europe and a model for its neighbors. Bilateral relations between the United States and Croatia are very strong.
Croatia has joined forces with the United States to address regional and global challenges. Croatia has participated in North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operations including the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, the Kosovo Force, and Operation Unified Protector in Libya, and United Nations peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, Cyprus, India and Pakistan, the Western Sahara, and the Golan Heights. Croatia’s mentoring of neighbors in NATO’s Partnership for Peace, and especially the Adriatic Charter, has helped those NATO candidates advance their membership aspirations by initiating defense reforms and contributing to Alliance operations.
U.S. Assistance to Croatia
Croatia actively supports its international commitments to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The United States will continue its work to strengthen Croatia’s strategic trade control system, border controls, and law enforcement mechanisms.
The U.S. Department of Defense has a robust military-to-military relationship with Croatia. The U.S. provides military assistance to Croatia in the form of training, equipment, equipment loans, and education in U.S. military schools. Croatia also has a state partnership with the Minnesota National Guard .
Bilateral Economic Relations
Croatia is a strong democracy with a market economy, but retains significant state control or involvement in a number of industries. The Croatian Government has said it wants to strengthen economic reforms, consolidate public spending, improve the business climate, and foster economic growth. The United States and Croatia have a bilateral investment treaty and investment protection agreement. Croatia is slated to formally enter the European Union (EU) in July 2013 if its accession treaty is ratified by all EU member states. With Croatia's EU accession, U.S. companies exporting to the EU will have an additional market opportunity.
Croatia's Membership in International Organizations
Croatia and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Croatia also is an observer to the Organization of American States.
Bilateral Representation
The U.S. Ambassador to Croatia is Kenneth Merten; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.
Croatia maintains an embassy in the United States at 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC, 20008-2853, tel. (202) 588-5899.
More information about Croatia is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
Department of State Croatia Country Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Croatia Page
U.S. Embassy: Croatia
History of U.S. Relations With Croatia
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Library of Congress Country Studies (see Yugoslavia (Former))
Travel and Business Information