Croatia’s Defense Minister Ivan Anušić responded on Friday to new criticisms from Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who on Thursday labeled the military cooperation between Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia as a “direct threat” to Serbia.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Anušić met with the defense ministers of Kosovo and Albania, emphasizing that the Defense Cooperation Declaration signed last year “does not threaten anyone”.
“The declaration we signed last year is being implemented. We are working together, conducting joint activities, and providing technical support for defense industries and cooperation between our armed forces. There is absolutely nothing controversial in that declaration, and of course, we are not threatening anyone. I want to emphasize this because it appears to be the number one topic in regional media. We have new plans, new meetings, and new activities this year,” said Anušić, according to the Croatian Ministry of Defense.
Authorities in Belgrade view the military cooperation between Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia as being “directed against Serbia and the Serbian people.” Vučić has repeatedly questioned the need for a military alliance between NATO members Croatia and Albania, asking why such cooperation is necessary given their existing NATO membership.
Answering journalists in Munich, Anušić highlighted that Croatia is committed to regional stability and strengthening NATO.
“NATO is the strongest military alliance in the world, and it must survive this crisis. I sincerely hope it will. Croatia will engage to ensure that it does,” Anušić stated.
