Croatia’s official authorities have responded after Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić once again accused Croatia of leading a so-called military alliance with Kosovo and Albania against Serbia.
As reported by Croatian media, Vučić claimed on Monday that Croatia is working together with Kosovo and Albania “to destroy Serbia,” describing this cooperation as a military threat. He added that this alleged alliance was clearly “not directed against Austria,” stating that he therefore felt obliged to “explain it to the Serbian people.”
“In Belgrade, we understand very well the new military alliance created between Zagreb, Prishtina, and Tirana. It was not created against anyone else, but against the Serbian people,” Vučić claimed, while announcing a further strengthening of Serbia’s military capabilities.
Croatian Response: Call for Peace and Transparency
Responding to questions from journalists regarding Vučić’s statements, Croatian Interior Minister Davor Božinović rejected the accusations and called for peace, cooperation, and transparency in regional relations.
“Croatia has its own path, and that path is clear. Croatia is a member of the European Union, and everything it does in international relations is done transparently,” Božinović said.
He added that, regardless of differences in religious calendars, messages of peace and cooperation should unite neighbors across the region.
“Even though we celebrate Christmas according to different calendars, I believe that messages of peace and cooperation are something we should all share,” Božinović stated during a traditional Orthodox Christmas reception organized by the Serb National Council (SNV) in Croatia.
Defense Cooperation Explained
Croatian media have also emphasized that the defense ministers of Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo signed a declaration in March last year aimed at strengthening defense cooperation, not forming a military alliance.
The declaration — which remains open to other countries — focuses on:
- Joint responses to security challenges
- Countering hybrid threats
- Enhancing regional stability
- Strengthening defense capabilities and interoperability
- Cooperation in defense industries
- Education, training, and joint military exercises
- Full support for Euro-Atlantic integration
At the time, Croatia’s Ministry of Defense stressed that the document is transparent, defensive in nature, and aligned with EU and NATO principles, directly contradicting claims that it targets Serbia.
