Croatia has a new neighbour. A 7 square-metre area in ‘no-man’s land’ between Croatia and Serbia has become the smallest independent sovereign state in the region…

Czech Vit Jedlička has declared the area, located between Backi Monostor (Serbia) and Zmajevac (Croatia), as the independent state of ‘Liberland’. Jedlička, who is also Liberland’s President, says that the ‘state’ has been formed in accordance with international law as Liberland is in ‘no-man’s land’ which neither Serbia or Croatia claim.

“Liberland came into existence due to a border dispute between Croatia and Serbia. This area along the west bank of the Danube river is not claimed by Croatia, Serbia or any other country and is therefore no man’s land. The boundary was defined so as not to interfere with the territory of Croatia or Serbia. Its total area of approximately 7 km2 is now the third smallest sovereign state, after the Vatican and Monaco,” says a statement on Liberland’s official website.

“The goal of the founder of the new state is to create a society in which honest people can prosper, without having the state making their life difficult with unnecessary restrictions and taxes. One of the reasons for the establishment of Liberland is the increasing influence of interest groups on the functioning of the states and worsening living conditions. Founders are inspired by Monaco, Liechtenstein or Hong Kong,” the statement said.

Jedlička says that he will first seek recognition of Liberland from both Croatia and Serbia before seeking regonition from other nations around the world. Liberland’s President says he has already started the recognition process. Jedlička has a few conditions for perspective citizens – no neo-Nazis, communists, extremists or criminals with convictions for serious offences. For more information how to become a citizen and the constitution you can check the official website here.