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

Bilateral relations between the United States and Croatia are very strong. 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. Croatia’s commitment to democracy and reform led to its accession to the European Union (EU) on July 1, 2013.

Croatia has joined forces with the United States to address regional and global challenges. A North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally since 2009, Croatia has participated in 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 member of the EU. The U.S. economic relationship with the EU is the largest and most complex in the world, and the United States and the EU continue to pursue initiatives to create new opportunities for transatlantic commerce, recently launching the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. With Croatia's July 2013 EU accession, U.S. companies exporting to the EU have an additional market opportunity.

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'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 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