Zagreb, August 2025 – Kosovo has a greater need than any other country to participate in association formats and military alliances, such as the agreement with Albania and Croatia, since, as a new state, it is still not fully consolidated militarily, university criminology professor Fatmir Çollaku said in an interview.
Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia have signed a tripartite military cooperation agreement, which, in addition to joint training exercises and the exchange of expertise, also aims at potential joint weapons procurement from the United States.
Çollaku emphasized that this is an important step for strengthening security and consolidating Kosovo’s army. “Association formats among states different organizations, forums, and other mechanisms of alliances are welcome because they coordinate activities, formalize cooperation, and strengthen national security. Kosovo benefits greatly because it gains experience from states that are more militarily consolidated, such as Albania, as the mother country, and Croatia, a historical friend and NATO member with a modern army,” he said.
He also highlighted that the ultimate goal of this cooperation should be extremely positive for Kosovo’s security and defense, helping to stabilize and consolidate the country. “Overall, the result should be extremely positive in the field of security and defense, which is delicate and essential for Kosovo, allowing it to stabilize and consolidate, and to face any challenge effectively,” Çollaku added.
The development of Kosovo’s army in cooperation with Albania and Croatia provides a foundation for preparing Kosovo for a future in which NATO, through KFOR, may no longer be present.
The tripartite agreement signed in Zagreb by the Defense Ministers of Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia envisions cooperation in joint military training, experience exchange, and coordination in the field of security. According to official statements, it aims to strengthen the defense capacities of the signatory countries and improve interoperability with NATO standards. The agreement also includes plans for joint procurement of weapons from the United States, with the goal of standardizing military equipment and reducing supply costs.
