The trilateral defence cooperation agreement signed by Albania, Kosovo, and Croatia has been described by Albanian Defence Minister Pirro Vengu as not directed against any country — and he reaffirmed that Serbia is welcome to participate in cooperation if it chooses to do so.
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| Interior Ministers of Kosovo, Albania and Kosovo, 19/03/2025 |
What the Agreement Is
The defence cooperation declaration — signed in Tirana in March 2025 by the defence ministers of the three countries — is aimed at strengthening regional security and military cooperation through joint training, interoperability, and capacity building. It underscores shared commitment to enhancing defence industries, responding to hybrid threats, and supporting Euro-Atlantic integration.
Although Serbia does not recognise Kosovo’s independence, the agreement’s signatories have maintained that the cooperation is meant to bolster stability and collective security in Southeast Europe, not to threaten any neighbour.
Vengu’s Response to Serbia
In media comments on 26 January 2026, Minister Pirro Vengu stressed that the defence cooperation between Albania, Kosovo and Croatia is “not against anyone” and emphasised that the initiative does not require permission from any third party to proceed. He noted that cooperation already includes areas such as military training, education, and defence production.
Addressing Serbian concerns and statements from Belgrade, Vengu said that if Serbia views regional stability and a shared Euro-Atlantic future as important, it is welcome to join the initiative. He repeated that the agreement is an open partnership and invited other countries interested in contributing to security cooperation to participate.
Vengu also mentioned that Albania and Kosovo “have agreement” on defence equipment, including armoured vehicles, reflecting deeper coordination between the two governments.
Regional and Diplomatic Context
The tripartite deal drew strong reactions in Serbia when first announced in March 2025, with officials in Belgrade calling for explanations and framing the pact as a potential threat to regional stability. Serbian leaders also claimed the agreement violated a 1996 sub-regional arms control accord — an assertion denied by Croatia and Albania, who emphasised the pact’s peaceful intent and legal basis.
Kosovo’s government has similarly defended the initiative, viewing it as a cooperative effort that strengthens security and supports the region’s Euro-Atlantic integration goals.