In a historic moment on January 15, 1992, all 12 then-member states of the European Union, alongside Austria, Canada, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Malta, Norway, and Switzerland, formally extended recognition to Croatia, solidifying its status as a sovereign nation.

Germany took swift action, establishing diplomatic relations with Croatia on the same day, marking a pivotal step in the international acknowledgment of Croatia's independence. This significant development unfolded gradually following the proclamation of the Republic of Croatia's independence on June 25, 1991. On this historic day, Slovenia also declared its separation, and by the following day, the newly independent states reciprocally acknowledged each other's sovereignty.

Yet, even with this widespread recognition, there are still four countries that, as of today, have not formally recognized Croatia. Bhutan, Liberia, Niger, and Tonga continue to withhold official acknowledgment, according to Večernji list.

Adding to the dynamics of international relations, Somalia recognized Croatia in February 2022, while the Central African Republic and Togo simultaneously granted recognition on September 18, 2023. It is noteworthy that around fifty countries, though not formally recognizing Croatia, have established diplomatic ties, a gesture that is commonly treated as a form of acknowledgment. The journey of recognition for Croatia, marked by historical landmarks and contemporary diplomatic nuances, continues to shape its international standing.