October 24th is traditionally celebrated as United Nations Day and marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter - the founding document of this international organisation which gathers the largest number of countries in the world, the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs announced on Wednesday.
In its 67 years of existence the UN has become a founding stone for international cooperation, the ministry said in a statement it issued on UN Day.
Croatia became a full member of the United Nations on 22 May 1992 and this year marks the twentieth anniversary of that event. In that period Croatia has been recognised as a responsible member that passed through a complicated path on its way to international confirmation. It was a country burdened by war, aggression and occupation of part of its territory where several UN peace missions were involved. Later through the liberation and integration of occupied regions, the country grew to become an active UN member country that now deploys its own troops around the globe and a country that has become a donor in international development.
Croatia has made its mark through active participation in various bodies of the UN such as the Security Council (nonpermanent member 2008 & 2009), the Economic and Social Council, the UN Peacebuilding Commission (in two mandates including the active session for 2012-2013) and through engagement in various professional UN bodies.
"Croatia continues to firmly support UN activities including issues of global peace and security, post-conflict peacebuilding and development aid, strengthening democracy, respect of human rights and fundamental freedom and humanitarian aid", the ministry's press release notes.
