Thanks to Germany, First Western States Recognise Slovenia Ten Years Ago

Ljubljana, 19 December - Wednesday, 19 December, is the day marking the tenth anniversary of Slovenia's recognition by the first western countries, headed by Germany and followed by Sweden and Iceland. Germany influenced the European Community (EC) to recognise the new states which emerged from the former Yugoslavia. The EC thus took a decision on 16 December to formally recognise the former Yugoslav republics on 15 January 1992, but Germany hurried up and recognised Slovenia and Croatia as early as 19 December 1991.