In 1991 Croatia was recognised by Slovenia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Latvia and Estonia, but those countries were not internationally recognised themselves at the time.
The first internationally recognised country to recognise Croatia was Iceland (December 19, 1991). Germany announced the same decision on the same day, but decided that its act of recognition would become effective on January 15, 1992, when other EU members recognised Croatia.
Before recognition by EU member-countries, Croatia was recognised by the Holy See (January 13) and San Marino (January 14). On January 15, Croatia was also recognised by Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Hungary, Malta, Poland and Switzerland. The following day, Croatia was recognised by Argentina, Australia, the Czech Republic, Chile, Lichtenstein, New Zealand, Slovakia, Sweden and Uruguay.
By the end of January 1992, Croatia was recognised by seven other countries - Finland, Romania, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia.
The first Asian and Islamic country to recognise Croatia (not including the half-European and secular Turkey) was Iran (March 15) and the first African country Egypt (April 16).
Russia recognised Croatia on February 17, 1992, Japan on March 17, the United States on April 7, Israel on April 16 (diplomatic relations with Israel were established five and a half years later) and China on April 27.
With its admission to the United Nations on May 22, 1992, Croatia definitely became an equal member of the international community. Croatia today has diplomatic relations with some 120 countries. Iraq was the last country to establish diplomatic relations with Croatia, on January 4, 2005.