Republic of Croatia

Bilateral relationship

Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia on 1991. In 2008 Croatia was invited to join NATO. European Union accession negotiations were completed in June 2011.  Croatia is expected to accede to the European Union in mid-2013.  This will provide Croatia with a voice in European Union decision making, thus adding a new dimension to New Zealand’s relationship with Croatia.

The relationship between New Zealand and Croatia is warm and based on historical ties.  The first Croatian immigrants arrived from the Dalmatian Coast in 1858, establishing a small but significant community, which has been particularly successful in horticulture and viticulture, as well as contributing to New Zealand society in a range of areas.  Sports heroes, such as rugby league player Stacey Jones, community leaders such as former Wellington Mayor Sir James Belich, historian Jamie Belich, and the late Dame Mira Szászy, former President of the Maori Women’s Welfare League, are all of Croatian descent.

New Zealand is currently negotiating a social services agreement as well as a working holiday scheme with Croatia.

 

Key facts

Geography/Demographics

Land Area  56,594 sq km
Population 4.48 million (2011 estimate)
Capital City Zagreb
Languages Croatian

Political

Political system - Democratic republic
National Government – A majority government, led by the centre-left Social Democratic Party and supported by the Croatian People's Party, the Istrian Democratic Assembly and the Croatian Pensioners' Party, and minority representatives. The government is appointed by the President and confirmed by the parliament.
National legislature – unicameral parliament comprising a maximum of 160 deputies (currently 151 deputies).
Last election December 2011 (parliamentary); January 2010 (Presidential)
Next election -December 2015 (parliamentary); February 2015 (Presidential)
Head of State - President Ivo Josipovic (sworn in on 18 February 2010)
Head of Government - Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic (appointed December 2011)

Economic (2011)

GDP: $US63.85 billion
Real GDP growth: – 0.0%
Exports: US$13.75 billion
Imports: US$22.56 billion
Main exports: transport equipment, machinery, textiles, chemicals, foodstuffs, fuels
Main imports: machinery, transport and electrical equipment, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, foodstuffs
Current account balance: US$-449 million
Inflation 2%
Unemployment 17.7%

New Zealand Trade (2011)

NZ Exports (FOB): $NZ 4.5 million
Main Exports: Molluscs, furniture, sheepmeat, engines and motors, medical instruments
NZ Imports (CIF): $NZ 34.5 million
Main Imports: turbines, pharmaceutical products, foodstuffs, footwear, woven apparel

 

Visits

• Rt Hon Lockwood Smith, Speaker of the House, visited Croatia in July 2012
• Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited Croatia in November 2010.
• Rt Hon Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited Croatia in May 2008.
• Franjo Tudjman, the President of Croatia, visited New Zealand in June 1995.

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Representation

• The New Zealand Ambassador in Rome is accredited to Croatia as Ambassador [external link].
• There is a New Zealand Honorary Consul in Zagreb [external link].
• The Croatian Ambassador in Canberra is accredited to New Zealand.
• There is a Croatian Honorary Consul General in Auckland.

 

Travel advice

The Safe Travel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Croatia [external link].

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