Kako smo se normalizirali – 25 godina od Sporazuma o normalizaciji odnosa između Republike Hrvatske i Savezne Republike Jugoslavije
How did we agree on normalisation? On 25th anniversary of the Agreement on normalisation of relations between Croatia and FR Yugoslavia

Summary/Abstract: Agreement on normalisation of relations between Croatia and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was signed on 23 August 1996 in Belgrade. Two states recognised each other in their internationally recognised borders, although the word recognition is not mentioned in the text of the Agreement. Instead, they recognised to each other historical continuity of statehood which is what both sides preferred and needed. The recognition was on the agenda at the meeting between Croatian President Franjo Tuđman and his Yugoslav counterpart Dobrica Ćosić already in September 1992, at the time when conflict was still ongoing. Later on, Slobodan Milošević also discussed the issue with Franjo Tuđman, but the recognition was seen as impossible at the time because of the open issue of the secessionist territory of Serb Krajina. The other open issue was related to the border in Prevlaka. Still, in January 1994 the first joint declaration between two countries was signed at the level of their Foreign Ministers and it included the need for full normalisation. This was continued through many subsequent high-level meetings. The normalisation was a topic at the peace talks in Dayton. In November 1995 two sides signed the Erdut Agreement on peaceful reintegration of Eastern Slavonia. Finally, after talks in the Athens, two sides signed the Agreement in August 1996. The article presents the main points expressed in the discussion on the occasion of ratification of the Agreement in Croatian Parliament on 19 September 1996.

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