Kosovo, Albania and Croatia are strengthening their military cooperation – now Bulgaria also wants to join. Serbia criticizes the initiative as a breach of old arms law.

During this year’s Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Kosovo’s acting defense minister, Ejup Maqedonci, announced that Bulgaria was ready to join the recently concluded military agreement between Kosovo, Albania and Croatia. Maqedonci told the TRT Balkan channel: “We have received confirmation from Bulgaria. Talks have already been held with the Croatian defense minister. I am convinced that other countries with similar values and interests will follow suit.”

Promoting Euro-Atlantic integration

The trilateral agreement was signed in Tirana on March 18, 2025. According to European Western Balkans, the aim is to increase military interoperability through joint exercises, strengthen the defense industry and respond jointly to hybrid threats. It is also intended to advance the Euro-Atlantic integration of the participating countries.

Peaceful initiative

Maqedonci views the possible expansion to include Bulgaria as a logical step: “This initiative is 100 percent peaceful. It serves only to promote stability and security in the region,” he said, according to Kosovo Online. So far, Brussels and Washington have followed the step with interest, but also with caution.

Criticism from Serbia

Criticism, however, promptly came from Belgrade: Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić described the agreement as a “clear violation of the 1996 Sub-Regional Arms Control Agreement,” which was concluded under OSCE mediation after the Yugoslav war. As reported by Kosovo Online, Vučić accused the participating countries of fueling a new “arms race in the Balkans”.

Regional cooperation

The defense ministries in Tirana, Zagreb and Pristina firmly rejected these accusations. In a joint statement quoted by Anadolu Agency, they emphasized that the agreement was not directed against any neighboring country and was not a provocation. It was exclusively about regional cooperation and security.

According to European Western Balkans, the agreement is open to further participating states. In addition to Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Montenegro were mentioned as possible candidates – however, formal talks about this have not yet been officially confirmed.