H. Res. 529
In the House of Representatives, U.S., 
December 14, 2005.
Whereas the United States recognized the Republic of Cro-
atia 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 econ-
omy; 
Whereas Croatia is a functioning democracy, with stable in-
stitutions 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 re-
ceiving 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 Yugo-
slavia (ICTY); 
Whereas on October 3, 2005, the European Union decided to 
open accession negotiations with Croatia based on the as-
sessment of its Council of Ministers that Croatia met the 
political and economic criteria for candidacy in the Euro-
pean 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 Secu-
rity Initiative with like-minded nations across the world 
to prevent the flow of weapons of mass destruction, mis-
sile 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 Represent-
atives 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 re-
quirements of NATO’s Membership Action Plan, its con-
tribution to the global war on terrorism, and for its con-
structive participation in the United States-Adriatic 
Charter; 
(3) the Government of Croatia should be com-
mended for its ongoing cooperation with the Inter-
national 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 Organiza-
tion at the earliest possible date.
Attest:
Clerk.