Although the mention of Zagreb, located in the heart of Central Europe, prompts many to think first of a noisy capital city, it is a city of natural gifts, beautiful landscapes and preserved natural enviroments in its immediate vicinity. It is geographically situated on the slopes of the Medvednica mountains and the Sava River Valley and is rich in cultural and historical architecture.

It was only a bit more than a year when the first Embassy of Montenegro, as the youngest independent state and member of UN, was officialy inaugurated in Zagreb, on 10th of May 2007. Only a year before, on 21. of May 2006. the citizens of Montenegro decided, on the Referendum, to renew its almost a millenium old state and independence and to join, though with 15 years of delay compared to the Republic of Croatia, the international community, new relations with neighbours and other states and integration...

Looking at today’s Croatia, we are witnesses to everyday progress and numerous deeds that have been carried out since the recognition of our independence that happened not so long ago. The recognition of Croatia as an independent state by twelve Member States of the European Union and many other European and non-European countries sixteen years ago proved to be of major importance, not only for the newborn country, but for the history of Europe as well.

Dear readers, I am exceptionally pleased to be able to present Croatian tourism to you, its achievements and prospects for the coming years. Croatia, although a small country, relatively new politically, has a long and vibrant history and boasts some of the most attractive scenery on the Mediterranean, exceptionally preserved nature and centuries old historic and cultural heritage.

Croatia’s accession negotiations with the EU enter a decisive phase in 2008. This is only 13 years after the war ended and 10 years after Croatia gained full sovereignty over its entire territory.