Croatia |
Hungary |
Croatia-Hungary relations are foreign relations between Croatia and Hungary, two neighbouring countries of Central Europe. Croatia has an embassy in Budapest, and consulates in Pécs and Nagykanizsa. Hungary has an embassy in Zagreb and 2 consulates—in Rijeka and Split. Croatian and Hungarian high-ranking officials, including heads of state, prime ministers and foreign ministers meet several times a year. Trade between Croatia and Hungary amounted to 625,083 euro in 2009, largely consisting of Hungarian exports to Croatia. Also, Hungarian investments in Croatia rose sharply since 2003. Hungarian tourists contribute significantly to Croatian tourism—in 2009, total of 323,000 of them visited Croatia. The countries coordinate development of cross-border infrastructure. Pan-European corridors Vb and Vc connect Budapest to the Adriatic Sea via Zagreb and Osijek respectively. Both countries have considerable minorities living across their common border, and both passed laws to protect the minority rights. Croatia and Hungary are parties to 96 bilateral treaties and are members of a number of multinational organizations, including NATO and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Hungary is a European Union (EU) member state and Croatia is acceding to the EU.
In 1102, previously independent Kingdom of Croatia and Kingdom of Hungary became ruled by Ladislaus I bringing the two in a personal union. Following Ottoman conquests and disastrous defeat at the Battle of Mohács in 1527, Croatian nobility elected the Ferdinand I as a new king of Croatia. Hungarian nobility was divided, but the Habsburgs annexed the Royal Hungary keeping Croatia and Hungary under a single crown. During the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 Croatia sided with the Austrians, Ban Josip Jelačić helping defeat the Hungarian forces in 1849, and ushering a period of Germanization policy. By the 1860s, failure of the policy became apparent, leading to the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 and creation of a personal union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary. Issue of Croatia's status in Hungary was resolved by the Croatian–Hungarian Settlement of 1868, when kingdoms of Croatia and Slavonia were united. Following defeat of Austria-Hungary in the World War I, Parliament of Croatia declared independence and decided to join the newly formed State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, ending the Habsburg rule and the personal union with Hungary after 816 years on 29 October 1918. Through the Treaty of Trianon, Hungary lost Međimurje and the southern part of Baranya. Since the World War II, the relations were defined by cooperation and confrontation of the Soviets and Yugoslavia until the Revolutions of 1989 and the Breakup of Yugoslavia. Hungary recognized Croatian independence together with the rest of the European Economic Community and supported Croatia during the Croatian War of Independence and in efforts to join NATO and the EU.
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Croatia and Hungary established diplomatic relations on 16 and 18 January 1992, after Hungary recognized independence of Croatia on 15 January 1992.[1][2] As of December 2011, Croatia maintains an embassy in Budapest, headed by ambassador Ivan Bandić, a consulate general in Pécs and a consulate in Nagykanizsa. The Nagykanizsa consulate is led by a honorary consul.[3] Hungary maintains an embassy in Zagreb and consulates in Rijeka and Split. The embassy is headed by ambassador Gábor Iván, and the offices also include Army and air attaché office in the Republic of Croatia headed by László Hajas and Office for Economic Affairs of the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary in the Republic of Croatia led by András Péter Závoczky, Counsellor for Economy and Trade.[4]
| Croatian diplomatic missions to Hungary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Location | Type | Head of the office |
| Budapest | embassy | Ivan Bandić |
| Pécs | consulate | Ljiljana Pancirov |
| Nagykanizsa | consulate | Mijo Karagić |
| source: Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration[3] | ||
| Hungarian diplomatic missions to Croatia | ||
|---|---|---|
| Location | Type | Head of the office |
| Zagreb | embassy | Gábor Iván |
| Rijeka | consulate | Miran Ključariček |
| Split | consulate | Ivo Staničić |
| source: Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration[4] | ||
Croatian and Hungarian high-ranking officials, including heads of state, prime ministers and foreign ministers meet several times a year. In addition Croatian and Hungarian governments occasionally hold joint sessions since January 2006.[5]
| High-level visits and meetings (since 2009) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Location | Note |
| 23 December 2010 | Zagreb | Croatian prime minister Jadranka Kosor meets Hungarian deputy prime minister Tibor Navracsics |
| 28 October 2010 | Budapest | Gordan Jandroković, Croatian foreign minister and János Martonyi, Hungarian foreign minister meet |
| 1 October 2010 | Zagreb | Hungarian president Pál Schmitt meets Croatian president Ivo Josipović and Croatian prime minister Jadranka Kosor, and visits Osijek and Varaždin |
| 10 September 2010 | Zagreb | Croatian prime minister Jadranka Kosor and Hungarian deputy prime minister Tibor Navracsics attend Consequences of EU Membership for the Judiciary conference |
| 22 July 2010 | Budapest | Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán met Croatian prime minister Jadranka Kosor |
| 13 July 2010 | Zagreb | Croatian prime minister Jadranka Kosor and Gordan Jandroković, Croatian foreign minister meet Pál Schmitt, Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary and President-elect of Hungary at the time |
| 9 July 2010 | Dubrovnik | The 5th Croatia Summit is held, attended by Croatian president Ivo Josipović, Croatian prime minister Jadranka Kosor and János Martonyi, Hungarian foreign minister |
| 16 April 2010 | Pécs | Trilateral meeting of Croatian, Hungarian and Serbian presidents: Ivo Josipović, László Sólyom and Boris Tadić |
| 16 March 2010 | Budapest | Visit of Croatian president Ivo Josipović |
| 18 January 2010 | Zagreb | Visit of Hungarian prime minister Gordon Bajnai |
| 21 November 2009 | Barcs | Presidents of Croatia and Hungary, Stjepan Mesić and László Sólyom met on occasion of Croatian Day in Hungary |
| 5 November 2009 | Budapest | Presidents Stjepan Mesić and László Sólyom met on sidelines of World Scientific Forum |
| 17 September 2009 | Barcs | Prime ministers Jadranka Kosor and Gordon Bajnai co-chaired a joint session of the Government of Croatia and the Government of Hungary |
| 9 September 2009 | Zagreb | Foreign ministers Gordan Jandroković and Péter Balázs meet to prepare a joint session of Croatian and Hungarian governments |
| 9–10 July 2009 | Dubrovnik | Prime ministers Jadranka Kosor and Gordon Bajnai meet on sidelines of Croatia Summit 2009 |
| 27 April 2009 | Luxembourg | Foreign ministers Gordan Jandroković and Péter Balázs meet during the 5th EU-Croatia Stabilisation and Accession Council |
| 13 March 2009 | Zagreb | Hungarian foreign minister Kinga Göncz visits Croatian foreign minister Gordan Jandroković and meets with the prime minister Ivo Sanader and president Stjepan Mesić |
| source: Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration[6] | ||
Trade between Croatia and Hungary amounted to 625,083 euro in 2009, representing a decrease from 894,270 euro in 2008. In 2009, Croatian exports to Hungary reached 132,474 euro, while Hungarian exports to Croatia were worth 492,609 euro in the same year. Overall, the 2009 trade volume represents only 2.75% of total Croatian foreign trade.[7] Similarly, the Croatian–Hungarian trade comprises only a small fraction of total Hungarian foreign trade, reaching 0.54% of the total in 2009.[8] Hungarian investments in Croatia rose sharply in 2003, reaching the fourth ranking in that year following investments exceeding 630 million US dollars, largely in tourism and manufacturing. The largest single investment in that year was purchase of more than 25% of stock of INA for 500 million US dollars by the MOL Group.[9] By 2011, the MOL Group increased its stake in INA to 47.16%.[10]
Hungarian tourists contribute significantly to Croatian tourist industry. In 2009, total of 323,000 Hungarians visited Croatia as tourists. A total of 1.644 million overnight stays were made by the Hungarian tourists in that year alone, ranking the Hungarian tourists the 7th, in terms of number of nights spent in Croatia, behind Germans, Slovenes, Italians, Austrians, Czechs and Dutch. At the same time, the Hungarian tourists spent more than 143 million kuna (c. 19 million euro) in Croatia, representing a sharp increase from 69.5 million kuna (c. 9.3 million euro) spent in 2008. In 2009, there were 103,000 Croatians visiting Hungary (excluding family and friend visits), spending 356,000 overnight stays and 204,000 kuna (c. 27,000 euro) in 2009. The spending represents a 250% increase relative to 2008.[7]
Croatia and Hungary coordinate development of infrastructure, especially routes of transport. Pan-European corridors Vb and Vc connect Budapest to the Adriatic Sea via Zagreb and Rijeka (Vb) and to Osijek and Ploče (Vc).[11] The Pan-European corridor Vb comprises road and rail links between the Hungarian and Croatian capitals and the Port of Rijeka. Road component of the corridor primarily consists of the M7, the A4, and the A6 motorways, as well as several other connecting motorway sections—the route being completed on 22 October 2008.[12][13] The rail component of the corridor largely uses the route completed in 1873, but it is planned to be rebuilt to increase its capacity.[14] The Pan-European corridor Vc primarily consists of the M6 and the A5 motorways, but the motorway is not completed as of December 2011.[15] Other infrastructure jointly developed by Croatia and Hungary include a 395 million euro gas pipeline,[16] and two electric power lines.[17][18] On the 355.5-kilometre (220.9 mi) border between Croatia and Hungary,[7] there are six international road border crossings, three rail border crossings and five local traffic border crossings.[19] Citizens of Croatia and Hungary may cross the border with a valid passport or an identity card for stays of up to 90 days.[20]
According to 2001 Census, there are 16,595 Hungarians living in Croatia, representing 0.37% of population of Croatia.[7] In 2000, there were 15,597 Croats living in Hungary, accounting for 0.15% of total population of Hungary.[21] Hungarian minority in Croatia is recognized by the Constitution of Croatia and minority rights, including official use of Hungarian language by local government and education in Hungarian, are safeguarded by legislation enacted by Sabor.[22] Seven municipalities in Croatia introduced Hungarian in official use either in a part of their territory or in the entire municipality, depending on distribution of the Hungarian population there.[23] There are five Hungarian minority organizations in Croatia.[24] The Hungarian minority is guaranteed one seat in the Parliament of Croatia.[25]
Hungarian government recognized Croats as a minority native to Hungary and has decided to implement optional regulations of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in respect of Croatian language and set up a minority self-government to interest of the Croatian national minority in Hungary and guarantee a cultural autonomy. The Croatian minority set up 127 local and seven county self-governments in Hungary.[26][27] There are complaints that Croatian minority rights in Hungary are being diminished, but the president of Croatia assessed that both Croatian and Hungarian minority policies were appropriate.[28] The Croatian minority in Hungary is particularly active in Pécs, where a Scientific Institute of Croats in Hungary and Croatian Theatre have been established.[29]
Number of migrants between Croatia and Hungary is very low. In 2009, only 22 people emigrated from Hungary to Croatia while a single person emigrated from Croatia to Hungary.[7]
Croatia and Hungary have agreed the Cultural Cooperation Programme defining cooperation and cultural exchange in fields of music, theatre, dance, as well as in respect of arts, museums, galleries, literature, publishing, libraries, archives, film and cultural heritage protection. The programme was agreed on 7 November 2011 in Budapest, by secretaries of the Croatian Ministry of Culture and the Hungarian Ministry of National Resources. The programme pertains to 2012–2014 period and represents a continuation of an excellent cultural cooperation expressed outside framework of formal agreements, through cultural exchange.[30] Cultural, educational and scientific cooperation of the two countries is covered by a treaty of 16 March 1994, with additional treaties regulating diploma recognitions since 16 June 1997, and additional treaties and protocols on scientific and technological cooperation signed in 2002 and 2009. The scientific and education cooperation entails award of scholarships and bilateral research projects.[31]
Croatia and Hungary have either signed or succeeded 133 different treaties and other acts. Some of the documents were originally signed by Hungary and SFR Yugoslavia, while Croatia succeeded relevant documents pursuant to decisions of the Badinter Arbitration Committee. [32] As of December 2011, 96 of those remain in force, regulating various aspects of relations between the countries, including minority rights, diplomatic relations, cultural and scientific cooperation, trade and economic relations, Drava river navigation, border control, air transport etc. Free trade agreements were signed, but were since repealed through adoption of a similar agreement with the European Union. There were also agreements made with a limited period of application, pertaining to sporting events security.[33]
Croatia and Hungary are both members of several multinational organizations. Those include the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Council of Europe, NATO, the World Trade Organization, and the Central European Initiative. In addition, Hungary is a member of the European Union (EU).[34][35] On 9 December 2011, Croatia signed EU accession treaty, and is expected to become a member on 1 July 2013.[36] Both of the countries are also taking part in formulation and implementation the Danube Strategy, focusing on transport, environment and economic development of the Danube area and involving all countries along its banks.[37]
When Stjepan II died in 1091 ending the Trpimirović dynasty rule in Medieval kingdom of Croatia, Ladislaus I of Hungary claimed Croatian crown. Opposition to the claim led to a war and personal union of Croatia and Hungary in 1102, ruled by Coloman.[38] For the next four centuries, Croatia was ruled by the Sabor (parliament) and a Ban of Croatia (viceroy) appointed by the king.[39] The period saw increasing threat of Ottoman conquest and struggle against the Republic of Venice for control of coastal areas. The Venetians gained control over most of Dalmatia by 1428, with exception of the city-state of Dubrovnik which became independent. Ottoman conquests led to the 1493 Battle of Krbava field and 1526 Battle of Mohács, both ending in decisive Ottoman victories against Hungarian and Croatian armies. King Louis II died at Mohács, and in 1527, the an assembly of Croatian nobility meeting at Cetin chose Ferdinand I of the House of Habsburg as new ruler of Croatia, under the condition that he provide protection to Croatia against the Ottoman Empire while respecting its political rights.[39][40] In political disarray, divided Hungarian nobility elected two kings simultaneously, János Szapolyai and Ferdinand I. With the conquest of Buda by the Ottomans in 1541, the remaining part of Hungary not ruled by the Ottomans, called the Royal Hungary, was annexed by the Habsburgs who ruled as Kings of Hungary, thus keeping kingdoms of Hungary and Croatia ruled under a single crown.
In 1830s and 1840s romantic nationalism appeared in Croatia, inspiring the Croatian National Revival, a political and cultural campaign advocating unity of all South Slavs in the empire. Its primary focus was establishment of a standard language as a counterweight to Hungarian, along with promotion of Croatian literature and culture.[41] During the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 Croatia sided with the Austrians, Ban Josip Jelačić helping defeat the Hungarian forces in 1849, and ushering a period of Germanization policy.[42] By the 1860s, failure of the policy became apparent, leading to the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 and creation of a personal union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary. The treaty left the issue of Croatia's status to Hungary, and the status was resolved by the Croatian–Hungarian Settlement of 1868, when kingdoms of Croatia and Slavonia were united.[43] The Kingdom of Dalmatia remained under de facto Austrian control, while Rijeka retained the status of Corpus separatum introduced in 1779.[38] After Austria-Hungary occupied Bosnia and Herzegovina following the 1878 Treaty of Berlin, the Croatian Military Frontier was abolished and the territory returned to Croatia in 1881.[40] Renewed efforts to reform Austria-Hungary, entailing federalisation with Croatia as a federal unit, were stopped by advent of World War I.[44] On 29 October 1918 the Croatian Sabor declared independence and decided to join the newly formed State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, ending the Habsburg rule and the personal union with Hungary after 816 years.[39]
The Treaty of Trianon was signed in 1920, at the end of World War I, between the Allies of World War I and Hungary as one of the successor states to Austria-Hungary.[45] The treaty regulated the status of an independent Hungarian state and defined its borders. Compared to the pre-war Kingdom of Hungary (as a part of Austria-Hungary), post-Trianon Hungary lost 72% territory. [46] The principal beneficiaries of territorial division of pre-war Kingdom of Hungary were Romania, Czechoslovakia, and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. The treaty established the southern border of Hungary along Drava and Mura rivers, except in Baranya, where only the norther part of the county was kept by Hungary.[47][48] On 4 December 1918 the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs, comprising present-day Croatia joined the Kingdom of Serbia to form the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.[49]
The Invasion of Yugoslavia, by the Axis Powers began on 6 April 1941 during World War II. The invasion ended with the unconditional surrender of the Royal Yugoslav Army on 17 April 1941.[50] During that time, on 12 April the Hungarian Third Army crossed the border advancing into Međimurje and the southern Baranya.[51] Those territorial gains were reversed by the Yugoslav Partisans and the Red Army in 1944 and 1945, as confirmed by the Paris Peace Treaties of 1947.[52] As the World War II was replaced by the Cold War, Hungarian–Croatian relations were substantially dictated by the Soviet Union dominating the Eastern Bloc which included Hungary and the communist ruled Yugoslavia which comprised Croatia as its constituent part, defined by the Tito–Stalin split.[53] This situation ended with the Revolutions of 1989, the end of Communism in Hungary and breakup of Yugoslavia.[54][55]
Hungary recognized Croatian independence on 15 January 1992, along with the rest of the European Economic Community member states, and established diplomatic relations with Croatia three days later.[2] During the Croatian War of Independence, Croatia obtained arms from several countries, including Hungary despite a United Nations imposed arms embargo.[56] As of December 2011, Hungary and Croatia made 96 treaties and agreements which are in force, regulating a wide range of activities and relations, including diplomatic, cultural, economic, energy, transport, education, minority and other issues.[33] Furthermore Hungary supported Croatian NATO membership request as well as Croatian accession to the European Union.[57]
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