The military cooperation between Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia is set to take a concrete step in September, when the implementation plan for the defense declaration signed earlier this year will be finalized.
The plan includes joint arms procurement, with the three countries aiming to place a single combined order—primarily from their main strategic partner, the United States. According to security expert Nuredin Ibishi, such collective contracting enables more favorable prices and faster delivery, while also standardizing equipment and improving interoperability through joint exercises and training.
Kosovo’s acting Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci confirmed that the implementing group met in Tirana on July 18 to detail the plan, which will be presented to all three defense ministries for approval in September. He emphasized that collective orders from the U.S. would be cheaper and faster than individual purchases.
The March 18 declaration signed in Tirana commits the three nations to strengthen defense and security cooperation, enhance interoperability, coordinate Euro-Atlantic integration policies, and counter hybrid threats. Albania and Croatia are NATO members, while Kosovo aspires to join the Alliance.
Former Deputy Defense Minister Bejtush Gashi highlighted that this agreement strengthens Kosovo’s security umbrella, provides a functional model for non-NATO states in the Western Balkans, and directly supports stability in the region. The alliance aims to boost operational readiness, improve crisis response, and balance military capabilities against regional threats—particularly given Serbia’s growing defense investments.
Both Gashi and Ibishi stressed that the alliance is defensive in nature, poses no territorial threats, and follows NATO standards. Serbia, however, has criticized the initiative despite having its own defense agreements with Hungary.
The declaration leaves the door open for other countries to join, and Bulgaria has already been invited to participate.
