Liberland: Here's How the Newest 'Country' was Formed in Europe's No Man's Land

The world has just got a new nation, or at least that is what one man says.

Vít Jedlička, a Czech national and former member of a conservative political party in the Czech Republic, has 'declared' a country in the disputed, no man's land between Serbia and Croatia, calling it 'Liberland'.

The micro-nation, 'officially' called the Free Republic of Liberland, is only seven square kilometre in area but has a flag of its own.

'President' Jedlička is also drafting a constitution and laws for Liberland, which he calls a 'constitutional republic with elements of direct democracy". It also has a motto - 'Live and Let Live'.

Founded on 13 April on the west bank of the Danube river, Liberland is now looking for citizens who "have respect for other people and respect the opinions of others, regardless of their race, ethnicity, orientation, or religion, have respect for private ownership, do not have communist, Nazi or any other extremist past, and who have not been punished for past criminal offences".

'President' Jedlička corresponded with IBTimes India through email. 

While he says on the website that the state was formed 'in accordance with international law', when asked what formalities were cleared to declare a new nation, Jedlička said, "We put our flag there and sent notes to important countries".

He, however, did not elaborate on the 'notes' or on the 'important countries'.

The movement towards creating a new state began about six months ago, Jedlička said, after protests against corruptible governments and 'burden of unnecessary restrictions and taxes'.

"At the beginning it was a protest but about half a year ago, we took it seriously and started to prepare a real country," the self-proclaimed president says.

"The founders are inspired by countries such as Monaco, Liechtenstein or Hong Kong," the group says on the website.

Asked what services and facilities would be available in Liberland, Jedlička said they "will provide basic law and order" and will engage in "diplomatic policy".

Despite the vagueness of this new state, applications for citizenship to the newest country are pouring in.

"We have 26,000 registrations and thousands of applications," Jedlička said.

On how the country will grow in the future, physically and demographically, the President gives an almost philosophical response. 

"We hope we will turn more countries into Liberland just by changing the minds of people. Many people don't realise now that government is not serving them that they are serving government," he said.

You can see what the new country looks like though photos on the Liberland Facebook page.