Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Serbian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that it will send an urgent request to Albania and Croatia, seeking clarification on a trilateral defense cooperation agreement with Kosovo.

The agreement that was signed in Tirana focuses on strengthening defense capacities, advancing military technology and improving regional interoperability through joint training and exercises.

Belgrade opposed the move, arguing that Albania and Croatia, alongside “the illegitimate representative of the temporary institutions of self-government in Pristina,” have taken steps that disrupt regional stability.

“The Republic of Serbia, as a guarantor of peace and military neutrality in the Balkans, rightly demands answers about the nature and goals of this security cooperation,” according to the Foreign Ministry.

Serbia warned that forming a military alliance without consulting Belgrade is concerning, particularly given the involvement of Kosovo, which Serbia does not recognize as an independent state.

Trilateral defense pact sparks mixed reactions

The agreement, signed by Albanian Defense Minister Pirro Vengu, Croatian defense cheif Ivan Anusic and the head of Kosovo defense Ejup Maqedonci, is described as a step toward regional security and stability. It reaffirms Albania and Croatia’s support for Kosovo’s full integration into Euro-Atlantic structures, a move Serbia firmly opposes.

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti welcomed the agreement, calling it “an extremely important step for security and peace in the region.”

The development adds to tensions in the Balkans, as Serbia continues to challenge Kosovo’s international defense partnerships, while Albania and Croatia push for closer military cooperation within the region.