In a significant step toward regional security integration, Albania, Croatia, and the Republic of Kosovo have signed a Joint Declaration on Defence Cooperation. The agreement, signed this month in Tirana by the defence ministers of each respective country, underscores the trio’s commitment to strengthening military collaboration in the Western Balkans.
The declaration aims to bolster the three nations’ defence capabilities, support advancements in the defence industry and technology, and enhance military interoperability. These efforts align with broader European security interests, reinforcing stability in a region that has historically been a flashpoint for geopolitical tensions in Europe.
This trilateral cooperation signals a strategic shift, consolidating historic ties and shared sacrifices of these nations. For Kosovo, still navigating its international status, the agreement enhances its regional and European security footprint. For Albania and Croatia, it represents a deepening of military alliances beyond the outline of NATO, demonstrating regional initiative toward self-reliance in defence matters.
At a time when Europe faces growing security challenges, from Russian aggression in Ukraine to hybrid threats across the continent, this agreement highlights the Western Balkans’ increasing role in European defence architecture. Moreover, it strengthens Kosovo’s aspirations for greater international integration, reinforcing its ties with NATO allies. It also marks another step toward closer alignment with the European Union, especially as Albania and Croatia continue integration efforts and Kosovo seeks greater EU recognition.
However, while the agreement strengthens a security framework in the Western Balkans, it simultaneously underscores the growing divide with Serbia. Serbia, which maintains strong ties with Russia and has been reluctant to align with any EU foreign policies, may view this pact as a further geopolitical shift away from its influence in the region. The deepening defence cooperation could add another layer of complexity to EU enlargement amidst the polarisation of politics across the region.
Notably, this development comes amid domestic turmoil in Serbia, where mass demonstrations erupted against the government, which have put Belgrade under intense internal pressure. As Serbia grapples with political instability, its increasingly strained relations with neighboring states could further complicate any EU aspirations, widening the gap between Belgrade and the Euro-Atlantic bloc.
As the EU navigates its security commitments amid major transformations and the unpredictability of its alliance with the US, initiatives like these serve as reminders that the security priorities of smaller nations are increasingly shaping the future of European defence.
*The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) alone. These views do not necessarily reflect those of LYMEC.
Source:
A Security Axis in the Western Balkans – Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo Sign Defence Pact