The agreement was signed in Zagreb on September 23 by Croatian Minister of Science, Education and Youth Radovan Fuchs, in the presence of US Ambassador to Croatia Nicole McGraw and NASA representative for Europe Gregory Mann.
The Artemis Accords were established by NASA and the US Department of State in 2020 as a framework for countries participating in civil space exploration. They build on existing international space law, including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, and set out principles covering peaceful exploration, transparency, interoperability, emergency assistance, scientific data sharing and the protection of historically significant sites and artefacts.
The framework also addresses the use of space resources, coordination between different space activities and the mitigation of orbital debris. According to NASA, signatories commit to carrying out exploration in a safe, transparent and sustainable manner while avoiding harmful interference between activities conducted by different countries and organisations.
For Croatia, joining the Accords provides a framework for greater participation in international cooperation in civil space research and exploration. Minister Fuchs said the decision confirms Croatia’s commitment to the peaceful use of space and international law, while also creating opportunities for the country to participate in the exchange of knowledge, the development of good practices and discussions on the future governance of space activities.
US Ambassador Nicole McGraw said the agreement demonstrates how science and technology can further strengthen cooperation between Croatia and the United States. The Croatian government has also highlighted the potential for the agreement to support scientific and technological cooperation as the country’s space sector develops.
Croatia’s accession comes during a period of rapid expansion of the Artemis Accords. Serbia became the 69th signatory in July, followed by other countries from the region, including Albania, which signed on September 21. Croatia’s accession brings the number of signatories to 74, according to Croatia Week.
The development gives the initiative a growing Adria and Western Balkans dimension, with Serbia, Albania and now Croatia all participating in the framework. For countries without large national space programmes, membership can provide a platform for scientific institutions, universities and technology companies to engage with international partners and future space-related projects.
The Artemis framework is ultimately part of a much broader transformation of space exploration, as governments and private companies prepare for more activity around the Moon and, eventually, Mars. Croatia’s decision places the country within this expanding international network at a time when cooperation, responsible use of space and the development of new space technologies are becoming increasingly important.
