Croatia marked 20th anniversary on Sunday

Croatia’s celebration of its 20th anniversary on Sunday was marked by appeals to support the country’s EU membership bid at a referendum next week.

On Sunday, Croatia celebrated two decades since 20 countries, including all the members of the then European Community, announced their recognition of Croatia and Slovenia as independent states.

Zagreb appealed for recognition of its independence in 1991 as Yugoslavia fell apart and conflict began breaking out in the region.

Key Croatian politicians used the celebration to appeal to voters to vote “yes” at the referendum on the country’s EU membership bid scheduled for January 22.