Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia are moving to implement the defense declaration they signed earlier this year, with the goal of enhancing regional stability and military cooperation. The agreement, unveiled in March, emphasized improving defense readiness, advancing interoperability, countering hybrid threats, and deepening Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration.
Acting Kosovo Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci confirmed that expert groups convened in Tirana this July to translate the declaration into a detailed operational plan. The finalized framework will be submitted to all three defense ministries for approval this September.
As part of the initiative, the nations agreed to coordinate weapons procurement by submitting joint orders rather than buying separately. Each country will finance its own share, but delivery schedules and quantities will be set collectively. This is regarded as the first tangible outcome of the March declaration.
Beyond procurement, the pact envisions bilateral and trilateral military drills, expanded training opportunities in academies, and joint recruitment efforts. The partners also plan to address hybrid threats, such as disinformation, cyberattacks, and foreign influence, by sharing intelligence and strengthening regional defenses. While the Croatian Ministry of Defense stressed the project is not a military alliance, it welcomed potential cooperation from NATO and EU members. Meanwhile, Serbia has opposed the move, claiming it could fuel the creation of a new military bloc.
