Serbia has accused its neighbors of “taking steps that undermine regional stability” after Croatia, Albania and Kosovo signed a defense cooperation agreement.
Belgrade, which does not recognize Kosovo’s independence, claimed the new trilateral deal was a “targeted strategy aimed at isolating Serbia” by strengthening the Kosovan state it regards as illegitimate.
The pact, signed this week in the Albanian capital, Tirana, aims to bolster the three countries’ security capacity and coordination through joint military training and exercises, as well as the expansion of the regional defense industry.
Bulgaria has also been invited to join the group, officials told local media.
Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo—which has been formally recognized by almost 120 countries—have increased in recent years, with major unrest in 2023 prompting fears of a return to large-scale violence.
The government in the Kosovan capital, Pristina, recently shut down Serbian-funded institutions in Serb-majority northern towns and moved to build its first state-owned ammunition factory and drone design lab.
Kosovo’s foreign minister hailed the agreement with Croatia and Albania as the first of its kind in the region, adding that its goal is “not to threaten anyone” but send a message “to those who intend to threaten the region,” the Koha Ditore newspaper reported.
The pact, signed this week in the Albanian capital, Tirana, aims to bolster the three countries’ security capacity and coordination through joint military training and exercises, as well as the expansion of the regional defense industry.
Bulgaria has also been invited to join the group, officials told local media.
Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo—which has been formally recognized by almost 120 countries—have increased in recent years, with major unrest in 2023 prompting fears of a return to large-scale violence.
The government in the Kosovan capital, Pristina, recently shut down Serbian-funded institutions in Serb-majority northern towns and moved to build its first state-owned ammunition factory and drone design lab.
Kosovo’s foreign minister hailed the agreement with Croatia and Albania as the first of its kind in the region, adding that its goal is “not to threaten anyone” but send a message “to those who intend to threaten the region,” the Koha Ditore newspaper reported.
Serbia condemns ‘serious risk to peace’
But the Serbian government said the deal had “initiated actions that pose a serious risk to peace and security in the region,” and it has asked Croatia and Albania for “answers regarding the nature and objectives of this security cooperation.”
“This initiative, which is being carried out without Serbia but with Pristina, represents an open provocation and a gross disregard for the realities on the ground,” Belgrade’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
“We expect an urgent response from Zagreb and Tirana regarding the true intentions and ultimate goals of this dangerous military-security maneuver.
“Serbia will not allow any unilateral actions that could jeopardize our territorial integrity, the security of our citizens and peace in the region.”
“This initiative, which is being carried out without Serbia but with Pristina, represents an open provocation and a gross disregard for the realities on the ground,” Belgrade’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
“We expect an urgent response from Zagreb and Tirana regarding the true intentions and ultimate goals of this dangerous military-security maneuver.
“Serbia will not allow any unilateral actions that could jeopardize our territorial integrity, the security of our citizens and peace in the region.”
Croatia: We don’t have to consult with Belgrade
The Croatian defense minister hit back, saying that his country, which emerged from the dissolution of the Serb-dominated Yugoslavia in the 1990s, was sovereign and had no obligation to consult with Belgrade before taking decisions.
“That time is long behind us and will never happen again,” Ivan Anušić said.
He added, in an interview published by Croatian public broadcaster HRT, that the three countries involved in the trilateral agreement would work together to develop their defense industries, share knowledge and combat hybrid warfare.
The nations have been exposed to such threats “for five or six years already,” Anušić said.
Serbia regards Kosovo, which is overwhelmingly populated by ethnic Albanians but has a Serb minority, as an integral part of the Serbian state.
Thousands were killed, and hundreds of thousands were displaced during a war between Yugoslav forces and separatist Kosovan fighters—backed by NATO’s air power—in 1998-1999. Peacekeepers have been deployed in Kosovo ever since.
“That time is long behind us and will never happen again,” Ivan Anušić said.
He added, in an interview published by Croatian public broadcaster HRT, that the three countries involved in the trilateral agreement would work together to develop their defense industries, share knowledge and combat hybrid warfare.
The nations have been exposed to such threats “for five or six years already,” Anušić said.
Serbia regards Kosovo, which is overwhelmingly populated by ethnic Albanians but has a Serb minority, as an integral part of the Serbian state.
Thousands were killed, and hundreds of thousands were displaced during a war between Yugoslav forces and separatist Kosovan fighters—backed by NATO’s air power—in 1998-1999. Peacekeepers have been deployed in Kosovo ever since.
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