The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Republic of Croatia, Ivan Anušič, stated that the time when his country asked Serbia what it was allowed to do and what it was not has passed. He further added that this time will never return.
Anušič made these comments following the official response from Belgrade regarding the signing of a Memorandum between Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia, which Serbia referred to as a threat to the Serbian people.
The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs even mentioned that it would seek further clarifications from Albania and Croatia on this matter.
“The time when Croatia asked Belgrade what it was allowed to do and how it should do it has passed, and this will never happen again. We have been an independent state for 35 years, we have gone through five years of aggression, and a policy that communicated such a narrative. Croatia has the right to sign memorandums. Kosovo is a friendly country that we have recognized, and other countries will join this Memorandum. The document does not mention Serbia, aggression, or any activity that could threaten anyone, including Serbia,” said the Croatian Deputy Prime Minister.
He added that the aim is cooperation with other countries and industries, sharing knowledge, and working together to combat cyber threats, to which Croatia, Kosovo, and Albania have been exposed over the past five or six years.
“The Memorandum is about preventing security threats within the territories of the three countries. Croatia will certainly not ask Belgrade for permission for its decisions,” emphasized Anušič.
Kosovo’s Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, said yesterday that the goal of cooperation is not a threat to anyone but a message to those who seek to threaten the region.
“The aim of this cooperation is not a threat to anyone, but a message to those who aim to threaten security, peace, and stability in the Western Balkans, as well as the security of our countries. Our three countries, which share common values and interests, are united to face any threat and danger that aims to destabilize the region. The importance of this cooperation extends to other areas emphasized earlier by the two ministers, especially in the defense industry, personnel exchange, training, and education. One of the key points of this document is that Croatia and Albania will continue to support Kosovo in its Euro-Atlantic integration processes. This document opens the way for cooperation, particularly in facing modern risks threatening regional security, such as hybrid threats and others. It paves the way for other countries to join this joint effort for peace, stability, and greater security,” he said.
Meanwhile, Albania’s Minister of Defense, Pirro Vengu, said that signing this agreement is an important step for strengthening security and stability in the region, as well as for developing capabilities to address common risks and challenges.
“The statement translates not only a political will but also several priorities that we share together. It primarily concerns the importance our countries place on rebuilding the military industry and the need for our countries to cooperate more deeply and widely in this pillar of national security. The second point concerns the cooperation that our armed forces will have, whether in training or in capacities. Kosovo and Albania have much to learn from a valuable ally like Croatia. This statement opens the drawer for deeper cooperation, and we have already received interest from other allies to join this initiative,” he said.
The Croatian Minister of Defense, Ivan Anušič, said after the signing that this strategic development reflects the close alliance between the three states, united by history, sacrifices for freedom, and a shared vision for a secure future.
“Due to geopolitics, we want to have cooperation in our region, considering the present risks and the situations happening in Europe, also referring to Ukraine. We are also thinking about our past, which is not too distant. One piece of information we have from the past gives us an opportunity to reflect, which is why we have decided to have cooperation among the three states. This cooperation will especially focus on providing assistance in the development of the defense industry, changing the fulfillment of all the agreements we have signed so far. Now, we want to strengthen these and share the experience of our country, Croatia, as part of NATO and the EU,” Anušič emphasized.
This trilateral agreement was considered the first of its kind in the region.
