"We were not involved in this": NATO on the military agreement between Croatia, Albania and Kosovo

NATO had no role in the consultation process regarding the Declaration on Strengthening Defense Cooperation, which was signed a few days ago by Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo.

This was told to ''Vijesti'' by an unnamed NATO official, answering the question of how the alliance, whose members are Albania and Croatia, views the agreement, and whether the signing of the document indicates a weakening of trust in the Alliance.

An unnamed official said the declaration represents a trilateral agreement between Albania, Croatia and institutions in Kosovo.

"We are aware of it, but NATO as an organization is not a participant, and therefore had no role in the consultation process. For any additional comments on this matter, I refer you to the institutions in Kosovo, as well as the authorities of Albania and Croatia," said the NATO official.

He states that Albania and Croatia have been contributing to regional stability in the Western Balkans for many years, including through their engagement within the NATO KFOR mission in Kosovo.

Croatia, Albania and Kosovo signed the agreement on March 18th in Tirana, during a visit by the Croatian Minister of Defense. Ivan AnušićThe declaration, as announced by the Croatian Ministry of Defense, emphasizes the importance of "a joint response to security challenges, hybrid threats and other risks that could jeopardize the stability of the region."

"The defense ministers of these countries confirmed their readiness and interest in preserving stability in Southeast Europe, especially when it comes to Kosovo," the Croatian Ministry announced, adding that the possibility of other member states joining the declaration is open.

The Ministry of Defense of Montenegro told ''Vijesti'' the day before yesterday that they were not aware that the state was offered to sign that document.

They also said that they do not see the declaration as having a negative impact on Montenegro's foreign policy path, nor that it can be an antithesis or counterpart to the NATO alliance, "at the core of which is collective defense."

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, said on March 19 that Albania and Croatia, by signing a memorandum on defense cooperation with Kosovo, had “opened an arms race in the region.”

"It's a difficult situation for us, but we understood their message. And we will preserve our country, deter them and always successfully defend it against any potential aggressor, even one this powerful," he told reporters in Brussels at the time.