NATO on Kosovo defense pact/ Albania and Croatia contribute to regional stability

2026-02-14 14:47:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

NATO on Kosovo defense pact/ Albania and Croatia contribute to regional

NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska said that Albania and Croatia contribute to regional stability, when asked about the cooperation in the field of defense of the two alliance states with Kosovo.

"Albania and Croatia are not only reliable and valued allies within the alliance. They are also contributors to regional peace and stability. They have a presence in KFOR, but are generally focused on supporting this agenda in the region," Shekerinska told the Serbian news agency Beta.

Kosovo, Albania and Croatia signed a declaration on cooperation in the field of security and defense in March last year. Defense officials from these three countries have met twice this month to implement this declaration and have announced that they will conduct a joint exercise this year.

This cooperation has angered Serbia, whose president, Aleksandar Vu?i?, has seen it as an "offensive alliance" against "Serbs and Serbia."

Shekerinska added that NATO does not participate in discussions or consultations on the written declaration by Pristina, Tirana and Zagreb, but membership in the alliance does not prevent states from having additional defense agreements with third parties.

"What we see in general is, of course, the global geopolitical situation has also affected the region. You see more training, more investments in defense and security, but we also call on allies and partners to engage in political dialogue to resolve open issues in the region. Our presence in the Western Balkans aims to support this type of political dialogue," Shekerinska said.

She also reiterated the position that NATO supports the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia for the normalization of relations, which is mediated by the European Union.

A day ago, Vu?i? said that he is concerned about the cooperation between Kosovo, Albania and Croatia, adding that for this reason Serbia will increase investments in the field of defense.

Following these statements, Croatia's Defense Minister, Ivan Anuševi?, said that cooperation with Kosovo and Albania does not pose a threat to anyone.

"There is absolutely nothing controversial in this statement and, of course, we do not endanger anyone with it. Our cooperation is clearly oriented towards strengthening stability and security in Southeast Europe, as well as deepening the partnership and alliance between the three friendly states," he wrote in X.

Even earlier, the signatories of the declaration have stated that it is not against anyone, not even Serbia, while the Albanian Minister of Defense, Pirro Vengu, declared at the end of January this year that he had invited Serbia to become part of this pact, but Belgrade has not responded to this invitation.

Croatia and Albania are part of the western military alliance NATO, where Kosovo hopes to join.

According to the declaration, there are four main areas of cooperation, which include promoting cooperation in the field of defense capabilities and the defense industry, increasing interoperability through education, training and joint exercises, addressing hybrid threats and strengthening resilience, as well as providing continued and full support for Euro-Atlantic integration.

Based on this declaration, among other things, Pristina, Tirana and Zagreb plan to make joint purchases of weapons from the United States.

NATO's number two, Radmila Shekerinska, also spoke about the attack in Banjska, Zvecan, and said that the alliance has received guarantees from the authorities in Belgrade that responsibility will be determined.

"We have received guarantees or a clear commitment from the authorities in Belgrade that responsibility will be determined," she said.

NATO chief Mark Rutte said earlier this week that he is still waiting "for accountability" for the September 2023 events in Kosovo, adding that Vucic has promised him that he will fulfill this promise as soon as possible.

"It is a call that we will constantly repeat because we expect the authorities in Belgrade to come up with results," said Shekerinska.

Asked if this meant there had been no results so far, she replied that Rutte "therefore called again for responsibility."

In September 2023, a group of armed Serbs attacked the Kosovo Police in Banjska, Zve?an, killing one police officer. Three other Serb attackers were also killed in the exchange of fire.

Kosovo politician and businessman Milan Radoi?i? claimed responsibility for the attack, and has since been in Serbia, where he has not been prosecuted to date.

Kosovo is seeking his extradition, as the Special Prosecution has already filed an indictment in this case and Radoi?i? is part of the indictment./ Rel