Any attempt at cooperation between regional countries is often met with opposition from Serbia, which distorts the purpose of such initiatives by portraying them as threats to its interests. A recent example is its strong reaction to the military agreement between Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia. Serbia’s narrative is part of a broader effort to maintain dominance in the region, even as it has built close military ties with non-democratic actors such as Russia and China.

Prepared: Fitim Gashi 

The Ministers of Defense of Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia signed a trilateral declaration for a military alliance on March 18 in Tirana.

This agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in enhancing defense capacities and the defense industry, increasing interoperability through education, training, and exercises, countering hybrid threats, and reinforcing strategic resilience.

Additionally, it provides full support for Euro-Atlantic integration and regional defense.

Kosovo’s Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, emphasized that this alliance does not pose a threat to anyone but serves as a message to those seeking to destabilize the region, demonstrating that the countries are united and determined to maintain stability.

“For this reason, Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo will commit to strengthening their ties, increasing interoperability between the armed forces of our three countries through education, training, and joint exercises; enhancing efforts to combat hybrid threats and protect against them; coordinating policies for Euro-Atlantic integration, with a particular focus on providing the necessary support for Kosovo to join regional defense and security initiatives,” said Maqedonci.

The declaration also offers the possibility for other countries to join, with Bulgaria having already received an invitation.

Serbia’s Narrative on the Alliance 

In Serbia, this agreement was met with concern and portrayed as a potential threat to national security. Media outlets such as Sputnik Srbija, which also echoed the official stance of Belgrade, labeled the alliance as a “pact” between Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo against Serbian interests. The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it would send an urgent request to the Foreign Ministries of Croatia and Albania for a detailed explanation regarding the signing of the trilateral memorandum on defense cooperation. According to Serbia’s MFA, by signing this agreement, these two countries involved “the illegitimate representative of the Provisional Self-Government Institutions” in Pristina.

“It is particularly concerning that this military alliance is being formed without consultations with Belgrade, with the direct involvement of a structure that lacks international legitimacy and poses a security threat to the Serbian people and the entire region,” the statement said.

This rhetoric aims to create a perception of threat and legitimize Serbia’s opposition to the alliance between the three Balkan states. Serbian officials and certain media outlets frequently use the term “the so-called Kosovo” to deny Kosovo’s independence and undermine the legitimacy of its institutions.

Serbia views this alliance as a challenge to its strategic interests in the region. The fact that Kosovo, which Serbia still does not recognize as an independent state, is part of this alliance is seen as an attempt to strengthen Kosovo’s position on the international stage and weaken Serbian influence in the Balkans.

The military cooperation between the three countries is perceived by Serbia as a step toward closer integration, potentially shifting the balance of power in the region.

Arguments Against Serbia’s Narrative

Serbia’s claim that this alliance poses a threat to its security is unfounded for several reasons. First, the nature of the declaration is defensive, emphasizing that the cooperation is not intended as a threat to anyone but rather as a message to those seeking to destabilize the region. This highlights the alliance’s protective character, aiming to preserve peace and stability.

Furthermore, the alliance promotes Euro-Atlantic integration, aligning with NATO-s and EU policies for stability and security in the Western Balkans. Similar agreements have been signed in other regions, where neighboring countries collaborate to strengthen their defense capabilities without being perceived as a threat to third parties.

Another argument against Serbia’s claim that Kosovo cannot enter such military agreements is the fact that Albania and Croatia are NATO members. This has several important implications that invalidate claims of illegitimacy or threats against Serbia. As NATO members, Albania and Croatia operate within the framework of NATO policies, which promote regional security, collective defense, and stability in the Western Balkans. This means that any military cooperation with Kosovo aligns with NATO’s standards and regulations, considering that Albania and Croatia, as NATO members, cannot sign agreements that would pose a threat to any party.

In fact, NATO has been the primary guarantor of security in the region for decades, maintaining its presence in Kosovo through KFOR since 1999. Although Kosovo is not a NATO member, it is actively working toward integration through support and training from NATO countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.

Although Serbia has made it clear that it will not join NATO, it still engages with the alliance through the Partnership for Peace program, participating in joint training and activities.

If Serbia does not consider NATO a threat to its security, then there is no logical reason for it to view a military agreement between three Western Balkan countries, two of which are NATO members, as a threat.

While Serbia claims that the agreement between Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia poses a threat to regional security, it has simultaneously built close military cooperation with Russia and China, two actors widely seen as challengers to democracy and the international order. Serbia has purchased weapons from Russia, including advanced missile systems and other military equipment, and has conducted joint exercises with Russian forces. Additionally, Serbia has strengthened its defense cooperation with China, benefiting from surveillance technology and advanced Chinese drones.

Similar Agreements 

On the international stage, there are numerous examples of countries signing similar agreements to strengthen military cooperation.

The Visegrad Group, consisting of Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, has formed an alliance to enhance defense collaboration and improve the interoperability of their armed forces.

Another well-known example is Nordic defense cooperation. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden have established a close defense partnership, including joint exercises and intelligence sharing.

Regional military cooperation is a common and internationally accepted practice aimed at strengthening collective security and promoting stability.

*This article is published as part of the Western Balkans Regional Initiative against disinformation. “Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub: exposing malign influences through watchdog journalism.”