Albania and Croatia have agreed to deepen defense cooperation with Kosovo following high-level talks in Zagreb, as regional tensions rise and Serbia criticizes the initiative.
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| Ermal Nufi and Ivan Anušić shaking hands in Zagreb, April 15, 2026 |
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić reacted by claiming that the three countries are forming a military alliance directed against Serbia and warned of further arms purchases in response. However, these claims have not been supported with evidence, and similar statements have been made previously by Serbian officials regarding the same cooperation framework.
Officials from Albania and Croatia rejected the characterization of the initiative as a military alliance, emphasizing that the agreement is not directed against any country. Instead, they described it as a platform to enhance stability, peace, and economic cooperation in Southeastern Europe, including NATO-aligned security coordination in the Western Balkans.
Security analyst Edward P. Joseph noted that repeated warnings from Belgrade may be contributing to heightened regional tensions and broader militarization narratives. He also pointed to Serbia’s domestic political pressures and its ongoing EU accession challenges as important contextual factors shaping its foreign policy rhetoric.
The trilateral cooperation between Albania, Kosovo, and Croatia continues to be presented by all three governments as a stabilizing initiative within the Balkans, rather than an offensive alliance.