Kosovo, Albania and Croatia create military alliance

The Ministers of Defense of Kosovo, Albania and Croatia have signed a trilateral declaration on cooperation in the field of defense and security. The memorandum, signed in Albania, aims to strengthen the military industry, modernize capacities and face security challenges in the Balkans. The signatories emphasized that cooperation does not threaten anyone, but is a guarantee for stability and peace in the region.

Kosovo, Albania and Croatia signed a trilateral declaration on cooperation in the field of defense and security on Tuesday.

The signing of this memorandum took place in Albania, where the Minister of Defense of this country, Pirro Vengu, received with high military honors his counterparts from Kosovo and Croatia: Ejup Maqedonci and Ivan Anušić. 

And after signing the declaration, at a joint conference of the three ministers, the Macedonian said that this was not intended to threaten any country.

"The aim of this cooperation will in no case be to threaten anyone. But it will be a message to all those who dare to threaten security, peace and stability in the Western Balkans, but also the security of our countries, that our three countries that share common values ​​and interests are united to face any danger and threat that aims to destabilize the region," said the Macedonian.

According to Maqedonci, the importance of this cooperation extends to other areas as well.

"Especially in terms of the defense industry, training, education of military personnel, while also addressing the issue of the two countries' support for Kosovo's integration into Euro-Atlantic structures," he added.

And Croatian Minister Anusic said that the declaration emphasizes cooperation in the military industry.

"We have decided to have a cooperation between the three states. A cooperation that will be based especially on cooperation in providing assistance in the development of the defense industry, amending and fulfilling the agreements that we have had so far, which are of a high level, but now we want to improve and strengthen them and share our experience," Anusic declared.

He also spoke about geopolitical changes and the importance of this cooperation.

"Due to geopolitics, we want to have cooperation in our region, taking into account the dangers that are present and the situations that are happening in Europe, also referring to Ukraine. We are also thinking about our past, which is not too distant. Information that we have from the past and gives us the opportunity to think, is why we have made the decision to have cooperation between the three states," Anusic added.

Minister Vengu stated that in addition to the military industry, the declaration also emphasizes cooperation in training and modernization of capacities. He added that Albania and Kosovo have something to learn from Croatia in the field of defense.

"The declaration actually translates not only a political will, but also some priorities that we share together. It mainly has to do with the importance that our countries give to the renewal, the resurgence of the military industry and the need to cooperate even deeper and wider in this pillar of our countries' national security," said Vengu.

This alliance, among other things, aims to counter hybrid threats and strengthen strategic stability, providing full support for Euro-Atlantic integration and regional defense.

According to the signatories, the declaration leaves the possibility for other countries to join them, as it has been announced that Bulgaria has received an invitation.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Albin Kurti has described the Declaration of a military alliance between Kosovo, Albania and Croatia as an extremely important step for security. 
Kurti said that this agreement is also important for peace in the region. 

"Congratulations to everyone! An extremely important step for security and peace in the region, through the defense, cooperation and coordination of our peace-loving countries, with the trilateral declaration on military alliance signed today in Tirana between our Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Albania, Pirro Vengu and the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Croatia, Ivan Anušić," Kurti wrote on Facebook.

Security expert Gurakuç Kuçi said that this agreement was reached in coordination with NATO. According to him, with this military agreement, Serbia and the Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina are isolated.

"NATO, Albania and Croatia have offered Kosovo a golden opportunity. This agreement was made with NATO's approval, because Albania and Croatia would not have the right to sign such an agreement without NATO's approval, outside of NATO member countries. Therefore, we can say that NATO, Albania and Croatia have offered Kosovo a golden opportunity to get as close as possible to NATO, to increase its security and also to increase the security of the region. With the current agreement that has occurred with this declaration by Kosovo, Albania and Croatia on military issues, then to a certain extent Serbia and the Republika Srpska are isolated, where they are either offered the opportunity for peace and development towards Euro-Atlantic structures, or they will remain isolated in such a way that they remain alone and cannot threaten any country that is part of NATO or has agreements with NATO member countries," said Kuçi.

Croatia and Albania are members of NATO, while Kosovo has troops from this alliance on its territory.