In this article, which is based primarily on unpublished Swiss diplomatic sources, the development of relations between the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) and the Swiss Confederation is brieflv described, especially with regard to the question of diplomatic recognition of the NDW. Available archival Sources do not support the conclusion that Berlin or Rome was advocating recognition of NDH by any means possible. but that Croatian authorities were seeking dejure recognition for a variety of reasons. Officially, Bern rebuffed these requests, partly due to its traditional policy of neutralit,, and partly because the British embassy pressured the Swiss by warning them that recognition of NDH could be construed as open allegiance with the Axis. Consequently, the result of Croatian-Swiss discussions, in which the Swiss consulate in Zagreb played an important part, was an oral agreement extending informal relations between the two states. especially economic and financial relations. Nevertheless, Croatia was allowed, through the auspices of the permanent trade delegation in Zurich, to carry out limited consular activities. In this regard, it is impo[tant to mention that Croatian interest in Switzerland was motivated by a desire to form a possible bridge to the western allies. (SOI : CSP: S. 278)
The beginnings of the scientific study of international relations in Croatia precede its inauguration and international recognition as an independent state in the early 1990s. Already in the former state of Yugoslavia, there were pioneer attempts in Zagreb at serious research into the complex science of international relations. In 1962, the Faculty of Political Science was founded; one of the subjects was international relations. At the end of the 1970s, and at the same Faculty, a postgraduate study program of international relations was launched. Zagreb, due to the quality and quantity of its experts and their dedicated pedagogical work, the publication of their works, and their contacts with their colleagues abroad, had the central role in the development of a modern science of international relations, not only in the former state but in the wider region of South-East Europe. The declaration of the independent Republic of Croatia, and geo- political and geo-economic changes in the international environment, pose new challenges, obstacles, opportunities as well as objective needs for a new approach and the development of the study of intentational relations, the accompanying institutions and the publication of relevant literature. (SOI : PM: S. 187)