Fact check: Hrvatska je, za međunarodno priznanje, Njemačkoj dala Hrvatski telekom, Vatikanu svake godine plaća 135.000.000 eura, Italija je dobila Zagrebačku banku.

1. Summary of the results

The original statement makes three major claims, which can only be partially verified through the provided sources:

• Regarding Hrvatski Telekom (HT), while the statement oversimplifies the situation, Deutsche Telekom did acquire a controlling stake (51%) in the company through purchasing an additional 16% from the Croatian government ^[1]. However, this was a business transaction, not directly tied to recognition.
• Concerning Vatican payments, while Croatia does provide significant financial support to religious communities and education (approximately 40 million euros annually), the specific claim of 135 million euros is not entirely accurate. The total financial relationship with the Catholic Church is estimated at around 133 million euros (1000 million HRK) annually ^[2].
• The claim about Zagrebačka Banka and Italy cannot be verified through any of the provided sources.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements are missing from the original statement:

• Hrvatski Telekom is described as Croatia's leading telecommunications company with a strong market position and commitment to sustainability ^[3].
• The financial relationship between Croatia and religious institutions is more complex than suggested, including various components such as religious education and support for religious communities ^[2].
• Croatia's international recognition process in 1992 involved complex diplomatic developments, with both Germany and the Vatican playing significant diplomatic roles, but not necessarily through financial transactions ^[4].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The statement appears to contain several misleading elements:

• It oversimplifies complex business transactions and diplomatic processes by suggesting direct quid-pro-quo relationships between international recognition and asset transfers.
• While Germany and the Vatican did play important roles in Croatia's international recognition ^[4], the statement incorrectly frames business transactions and institutional support as "payment" for recognition.
• The statement appears designed to create controversy by suggesting that Croatia's independence was "bought" through asset transfers, while historical sources indicate a more complex diplomatic process ^[5].

This type of narrative could benefit those seeking to delegitimize Croatia's independence process or create public distrust in international institutions. It's important to note that while some financial relationships described do exist, they are not directly tied to Croatia's international recognition as suggested in the original statement.