Kosovo’s Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, announced that a joint military exercise between the armed forces of Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia will take place this year, with Croatia serving as host.
According to Maqedonci, the exercise will be carried out soon as part of the trilateral defense cooperation between the three countries.
Speaking to RTK during his participation at the Munich Security Conference, the minister said that he recently met with Albania’s Defense Minister Pirro Vengu and Croatia’s Defense Minister Ivan Anušić, in continuation of the ongoing cooperation framework in the field of defense.
He recalled that last year the three countries signed a joint declaration on defense cooperation, formalizing trilateral collaboration. The recent meeting, he said, focused on expanding cooperation across multiple areas of defense.
Maqedonci highlighted in particular the recent meeting of the Chiefs of Defense in Shkodër, where the three sides agreed on organizing the joint military exercise that will soon be held in Croatia.
Beyond joint training, the minister said discussions also covered possibilities for joint investments and co-production in the defense industry. The three countries are exploring opportunities to develop defense manufacturing as a shared strategic asset, particularly in the production of military equipment, ammunition, vehicles, and other weapons systems.
During the Munich forum one of the world’s most important gatherings on security and defense issues Kosovo’s delegation, led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, also held meetings with leading international defense companies.
Maqedonci confirmed that he met with the executive director responsible for Mercedes’ tactical military vehicle production. Last year, Kosovo signed a three-year contract with Mercedes for the supply of tactical military vehicles, which are widely used by armed forces around the world.
