Eng. / Fr. / Cro

NATO’s relations with Croatia

How did relations with Croatia evolve?

NATO-Croatia relations date back to 1994, when senior Croatian diplomats publicly declared Croatia’s interest in joining the Partnership for Peace (PfP). Relations continued to expand, and Croatia joined the PfP and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) in May 2000. Bilateral cooperation has developed progressively in light of the country’s membership aspirations and its participation in the Membership Action Plan since 2002. In April 2008, Croatia was invited to start accession talks with the Alliance. NATO Allies  signed accession protocols with Croatia on 9 July 2008 and the ratification process is ongoing.

Key milestones

1994 Senior Croatian diplomats publicly express an interest in joining the Partnership for Peace.
1999 Croatia allows the use of its airspace for operation Allied Force and provides logistical support to KFOR.
2000 Croatia joins the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) and the Partnership for Peace (PfP).
  Croatia joins the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP).
2001 Croatia develops its first Individual Partnership Plan (IPP).
2002 Croatia accepts an invitation to join the Membership Action Plan (MAP).
  Croatia hands in its first Annual National Programme in the framework of the MAP.
  Croatia hosts a PfP civil emergency planning and relief exercise.
2003 Croatian forces contribute to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.
  Croatia hosts the PfP exercise “Cooperative Engagement 2003”.
2004 Croatia hosts a number of PfP disaster-management seminars.
2005 Croatia participates in its first PfP crisis-management exercise.
  A combined medical team of the three MAP countries joins NATO-led forces in Afghanistan in August.
  Croatia hosts a PfP seminar on littoral warfare and a conference on movement and transportation.
2006 Croatia hosts a disaster-management training project for south-eastern Europe.
  Croatia hosts a meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Policy Advisory Group of the EAPC in May.
2007 The Croatian parliament endorses a proposal to increase the country’s contribution to ISAF.
  Croatia hosts the disaster-response exercise “IDASSA 2007” in May.
  Croatia hosts the PfP maritime exercise “Noble Midas 2007” from end September to mid October.
2008 In April 2008, Croatia is invited to start accession talks with the Alliance.
  NATO Allies  signed accession protocols with Croatia on 9 July 2008.