Australia–Yugoslavia relations

Australia and Yugoslavia
Australia-Yugoslavia relations

Australia

Yugoslavia

Australia–Yugoslavia relations (Serbian: Односи Аустралије и Југославије; Croatian: Australsko-jugoslavenski odnosi; Slovene: Odnosi med Avstralijo in Jugoslavijo; Macedonian: Односите Австралија-Југославија) were historical foreign relations between the now split-up Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Australia. Australia and Yugoslavia established formal diplomatic relations in 1966.[1] The two countries decided to establish diplomatic missions, initially at the chargé d'affaires level, to facilitate practical contacts, particularly in the field of migration.[2] Australia recognized the advantages of special relations and contacts with other countries in Eastern Europe but also the role it played in many of the meetings and activities of Non-Aligned countries.[2] Relations between the two countries were complicated by poor experiences of Yugoslav immigrants in Australia, which was often perceived to be significantly prone to radical nationalism, anti-Yugoslavism, and even widespread sympathies for World War II collaborationist movements. A delegation of the Yugoslav parliament visited Australia in 1970, while a delegation of the Parliament of Australia, led by William Aston, visited in turn in February 1971.[3]

In 1988, a pro-Croatian, anti-Yugoslav demonstration in front of the Yugoslav Consulate in Sydney ended with a security guard, Zoran Matijaš, shooting and wounding 16-year-old Josef Tokic.[4][5] This led to a diplomatic crisis between the two countries when the Australian authorities presented the consulate with an ultimatum to surrender Matijaš, which consular officials rejected.[6] Both countries expelled a number of diplomats.[7]

Following the breakup of Yugoslavia and the Yugoslav Wars, Australian judges Ninian Stephen, David Hunt and Kevin Parker served with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.[8] Australia also contributed military personnel to the United Nations Protection Force, Implementation Force and Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Serbia country brief". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b "AUSTRALIAN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH YUGOSLAVIA". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  3. ^ Milutin Tomanović, ed. (1972). Hronika međunarodnih događaja 1971 [The Chronicle of International Events in 1971] (in Serbo-Croatian). Belgrade: Institute of International Politics and Economics. p. 2562.
  4. ^ David Humphries (3 December 1988). "From the Archives, 1988: Australia expels Yugoslav envoys over shooting". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Yugoslavs Leave, Protest". Canberra Times. Australian Community Media. Trove, National Library of Australia. 5 December 1988. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Aussies Shut Yugoslav Consulate". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  7. ^ David Humphries (3 December 1988). "From the Archives, 1988: Australia expels Yugoslav envoys over shooting". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Former Judges". International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Retrieved 22 November 2020.