Serbia has expressed concern over the growing military cooperation between Kosovo, Albania and Croatia, which was formalized with a declaration signed in Tirana on March 18. The defense ministers of these three countries stressed the importance of strengthening their defense capabilities and combating common security challenges.

The agreement outlines cooperation in areas such as hybrid threats, defense industry cooperation, and military interoperability through joint training and exercises. Additionally, the declaration emphasizes support for Euro-Atlantic integration.

Belgrade with harsh reactions to its neighbors

Meanwhile, Serbia reacted fiercely, with the Foreign Ministry labeling the military alliance a provocation. Serbian authorities have demanded urgent clarification from Croatia and Albania regarding the goals of the agreement, especially since Kosovo, which Serbia does not recognize as an independent state, is a party to the agreement.

Serbia sees the alliance as a threat to regional stability and a direct challenge to its territorial integrity, especially since the cooperation includes Kosovo, whose independence Serbia rejects.

Outgoing Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević raised the possibility of Bulgaria eventually joining this military alliance, suggesting that such a move would pose additional risks for Serbia.

He noted that the countries involved – Croatia, Albania and Bulgaria – are Serbia's neighbors and questioned the true intentions behind this new military arrangement.

Vucevic also expressed concern that the alliance could destabilize the region, especially with its potential expansion to include Bulgaria.

Serbia will not remain passive in the new "military alliance" in the Balkans

The Serbian Foreign Ministry accused Croatia and Albania of disrupting regional peace with their decision to cooperate with Kosovo. At the same time, official Belgrade warned that it would not remain passive in the face of actions that could threaten its sovereignty or the security of its citizens. The government also viewed the agreement as part of a broader strategy aimed at isolating Serbia, especially given the current state of negotiations with the European Union regarding Kosovo.

The Serbian Foreign Ministry's response reflects growing discomfort with the dynamics unfolding in the Balkans, where tensions remain high over the unresolved status of Kosovo.

Despite Serbia's military neutrality, the government has indicated that it is ready to cooperate with neighboring countries, including Croatia and Albania, if this is done in a manner that respects Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

However, the inclusion of Kosovo in the trilateral agreement has made this cooperation unlikely, and Serbia remains firm that it will not tolerate any actions that threaten its position in the region, the Serbian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.