Bilateral relations exist between Armenia and Croatia. Diplomatic relations between the countries were established on 8 July 1996. Armenia is represented in Croatia by its embassy in Rome, Italy, while Croatia is represented in Armenia by its embassy in Athens, Greece. In 2011, both countries have established honorary consulates, Armenia's residing in Zagreb, while Croatia's residing in Yerevan, the capitals of the respective countries.
A Croatian Jesuit from Perast, Father Josip Marinović, wrote Dissertazione polemico-critica sopra due dubbi di coscienza concernenti gli armeni cattolici, in 1783, at the request of a wealthy Armenian banker, Giovanni de Serpos. In the dissertation, Marinović defends Armenian Catholics in the Ottoman Empire who received the sacraments from the MonophysiteArmenian Apostolic Church, which part of the clergy in Rome disapproved. Marinović wrote that Armenians had papal approval for performing rites in monophysite churches, as well as attending an Armenian rite mass, giving to charities, and observing holidays based on the Armenian calendar.[2]
During a theological debate, Marinović wrote a three-volume work with more than 1,600 pages titled Compendino storico di memorie cronologiche concernenti la religione e la morale della nazione Armena, which was to be the first modern history of Armenians written in the West. In his work, Marinović wrote about Armenian geography, a review of the political and church history of Armenia, the history of their catholicoi and synods, and a review of Armenian customs and other political and religious matters.[3]
Marinović's work influenced a final political and ecclesiastical solution to the problem of Armenian Catholics. With help from the Austrian and Russian Empire, the Vatican gained recognition of Armenian Catholics in the Ottoman Empire and founded their Archeparchy in Istanbul in 1830.[4] Marinović's work laid a foundation for modern research of Armenian history.[5]
Croats share deep sympathy with Armenians in the aftermath of the Armenian genocide even when Croatia has not recognized the genocide. It is noted that the genocide is carefully studied and distributed in Croatia,[7] which prompted Turkish Government to demand the Croatian Government removing the content of Armenian Genocide. Zagreb refused the offer.[8]
Representation
Armenia recognised Croatia as an independent country on 21 June 1994, while diplomatic relations between the countries were established on 8 July 1996.[9] Armenia is represented in Croatia by its embassy in Rome, Italy Croatia is represented in Armenia by its embassy in Athens, Greece,[10] Both countries have honorary consulates.
Agreements
Armenia and Croatia have signed three agreements and one protocol:[11][12]
Agreement
Signatories
Date of conclusion
Date of entry into force
Place
Protocol on cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Government of the Republic of Armenia on mutual abolishing of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and service passports
Agreement between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Armenia for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income
Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Government of the Republic of Armenia on Co-operation in the Fields of Culture, Education and Science
Memorandum of Understanding between the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia and the Diplomatic School of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia on Cooperation in the Field of Diplomatic Training and Education
Bagdasarov, Artur; Lupis, Vinicije (2014). "Armenski narod, Armenska Apostolska Crkva i doprinos armenskih katolika hrvatskoj kulturi". Crkva U Svijetu (in Croatian). 49 (4). Split: Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Splitu. ISSN0352-4000.
Lupis, Vinicije (2009). "O armensko-hrvatskim kontaktima". Društvena istraživanja (in Croatian). 18 (1/2 (99-100)). Zagreb: Institut za primijenjena društvena istraživanja. ISSN1330-0288.
"Croatia". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. 17 March 2023. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
