H. Res. 529

In the House of Representatives, U.S., 

December 14, 2005.

Whereas the United States recognized the Republic of Croatia on April 7, 1992, acknowledging the decision of the 

people of Croatia to live in an independent, democratic, 

and sovereign country; 

Whereas since achieving their independence, the people of 

Croatia have built a democratic society, based on the rule 

of law, respect for human rights, and a free market economy; 

Whereas Croatia is a functioning democracy, with stable institutions guaranteeing the rule of law, human rights, 

and market economy; 

Whereas Croatia has previously cooperated with the North 

Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by allowing NATO 

free access to its air space during NATO’s 1999 military 

action against Serbia; 

Whereas the United States has shown support for Croatia in 

many ways since its independence, including by providing 

Croatia with economic and military assistance that has 

contributed significantly to the continued success; 

Whereas Croatia is a reliable partner of the United States, 

actively contributing to the stabilization of South Central 

Europe; 
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Whereas NATO’s Membership Action Plan, which was 

launched in April 1999, is a program of assistance that 

provides both goals and a roadmap for countries aspiring 

to NATO membership; 

Whereas Croatia was invited into the Membership Action 

Plan in May 2002 and has made substantial progress in 

attaining the necessary level of reforms required for receiving an invitation to start accession talks with NATO; 

Whereas the United States, Croatia, Albania, and Macedonia 

are signatories to the United States-Adriatic Charter, 

which promotes Euro-Atlantic integration and commits 

the signatory nations to the values and principles of 

NATO and to joining the Alliance at the earliest possible 

time; 

Whereas Croatia significantly improved its cooperation with 

the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); 

Whereas on October 3, 2005, the European Union decided to 

open accession negotiations with Croatia based on the assessment of its Council of Ministers that Croatia met the 

political and economic criteria for candidacy in the European Union, including that Croatia was fully cooperating 

with the ICTY; 

Whereas Croatia has sent troops to Afghanistan as part of 

the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force 

(ISAF) in support of the war against terrorism and has 

endorsed and is participating in the Proliferation Security Initiative with like-minded nations across the world 

to prevent the flow of weapons of mass destruction, missile systems, and related material; and 
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Whereas Croatia shares the common interests and values of 

the free and democratic world: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that—

(1) the Republic of Croatia has made significant 

progress since its independence in strengthening its 

democratic institutions and respect for human rights and 

the rule of law; 

(2) Croatia should be commended for its progress 

in meeting the political, economic, military, and other requirements of NATO’s Membership Action Plan, its contribution to the global war on terrorism, and for its constructive participation in the United States-Adriatic 

Charter; 

(3) the Government of Croatia should be commended for its ongoing cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; 

(4) Croatia would make a significant contribution to 

NATO; and 

(5) with complete satisfaction of NATO guidelines 

and criteria for membership, Croatia should be invited to 
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be a full member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization at the earliest possible date.

Attest:

Clerk.