Croatia–Libya relations
Encyclopedia
Croatia-Libya relations refers to the current and historical relationship
between Croatia
and Libya
. Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya were established mutually on March 30, 2000. Croatia has an embassy in Tripoli
(temporarily closed ). Libya has an embassy in Zagreb
.
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
, of which Croatia was a part of, maintained good relations with Libya under Muammar Gaddafi
. Gaddafi came to Yugoslavia in 1989 for a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement
.
Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean
. Croatian president Stjepan Mesić
made a state visit to Libya in 2003, as well as a three-day visit in February, 2008; he had previously made a visit to Libya in 1992. Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor
visited Libya in September 2010.
Former president Stipe Mesić maintained good relations with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi
, and as the 2011 Libyan uprising was starting in February 2011, he publicly stated he doubted that "his friend" Gaddafi himself had ordered shooting at the demonstrators, and would not postpone visit plans.
Over 400 Croatian citizens were evacuated from the country by early March.
The Croatian Government supported the 2011 military intervention in Libya
that started in late March, and temporarily closed the Tripoli embassy at the same time.
Mesić later made statements indicating suspicion NATO's motives in establishing the no-fly zone, which in turn angered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In late May, a Libyan diplomat in Zagreb made public statements supporting the Gaddafi regime and criticized Croatia for supporting the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973
. The Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in turn revoked his diplomatic status.
Finally, in late June, Croatia officially extended diplomatic recognition to the National Transitional Council
of Libya.
Bilateralism
Bilateralism consists of the political, economic, or cultural relations between two sovereign states. For example, free trade agreements signed by two states are examples of bilateral treaties. It is in contrast to unilateralism or multilateralism, which refers to the conduct of diplomacy by a...
between Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
and Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
. Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Croatia and the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya were established mutually on March 30, 2000. Croatia has an embassy in Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
(temporarily closed ). Libya has an embassy in Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
.
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,...
, of which Croatia was a part of, maintained good relations with Libya under Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
. Gaddafi came to Yugoslavia in 1989 for a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement
Non-Aligned Movement
The Non-Aligned Movement is a group of states considering themselves not aligned formally with or against any major power bloc. As of 2011, the movement had 120 members and 17 observer countries...
.
Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean
Union for the Mediterranean
The Union for the Mediterranean is a multilateral partnership that encompasses 43 countries from Europe and the Mediterranean Basin: the 27 member states of the European Union and 16 Mediterranean partner countries from North Africa, the Middle East and the Balkans...
. Croatian president Stjepan Mesić
Stjepan Mesić
Stjepan "Stipe" Mesić is a Croatian politician and former President of Croatia. Before his ten-year presidential term between 2000 and 2010 he held the posts of Speaker of the Croatian Parliament , Prime Minister of Croatia , the last President of the Presidency of Yugoslavia , Secretary General...
made a state visit to Libya in 2003, as well as a three-day visit in February, 2008; he had previously made a visit to Libya in 1992. Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor
Jadranka Kosor
Jadranka Kosor is a Croatian politician and former journalist. She is the current Prime Minister of Croatia, having taken office on July 6, 2009, following the sudden resignation of her predecessor Ivo Sanader. She is Croatia's first female Prime Minister since independence.-Early life:Jadranka...
visited Libya in September 2010.
Former president Stipe Mesić maintained good relations with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
, and as the 2011 Libyan uprising was starting in February 2011, he publicly stated he doubted that "his friend" Gaddafi himself had ordered shooting at the demonstrators, and would not postpone visit plans.
Over 400 Croatian citizens were evacuated from the country by early March.
The Croatian Government supported the 2011 military intervention in Libya
2011 military intervention in Libya
On 19 March 2011, a multi-state coalition began a military intervention in Libya to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which was taken in response to events during the 2011 Libyan civil war...
that started in late March, and temporarily closed the Tripoli embassy at the same time.
Mesić later made statements indicating suspicion NATO's motives in establishing the no-fly zone, which in turn angered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In late May, a Libyan diplomat in Zagreb made public statements supporting the Gaddafi regime and criticized Croatia for supporting the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, on the situation in Libya, is a measure that was adopted on 17 March 2011. The Security Council resolution was proposed by France, Lebanon, and the United Kingdom....
. The Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in turn revoked his diplomatic status.
Finally, in late June, Croatia officially extended diplomatic recognition to the National Transitional Council
National Transitional Council
The National Transitional Council of Libya , sometimes known as the Transitional National Council, the Interim National Council, or the Libyan National Council,...
of Libya.