On this day, the 15th of January, 26 years ago the independence of the Republic of Croatia was officially recognised by the members of the European Union. This date is marked as the Day of International Recognition.

On the 15th of January 1992, Croatia was recognised by all of the 12 members of the European Union as well as by Austria, Canada, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Malta, Norway and Switzerland. By the end of January that year Croatia was recognised as an independent country by a total of 44 countries.

Russia recognized Croatia in February, Japan in March, the United States in April, and India in May 1992.

The first country to recognise Croatia as an independent country was Iceland, on the 19 December 1991.