Albania’s Minister of Defense, Pirro Vengu, has provided details on the trilateral security and defense cooperation agreement signed between Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia in Tirana.
The pact, which has sparked strong reactions from Belgrade, is described by Vengu as a natural alliance among three nations facing similar security threats.
“This initiative is not up for debate. It is a completely natural trilateral alliance, initially discussed a year ago in regional defense meetings and later reinforced at the recent NATO ministerial meeting. It emerged as a response to the real threats facing the region—hybrid threats, cyberattacks, foreign interference, and disinformation campaigns,” Vengu stated for A2CNN.
Support for Kosovo’s NATO and EU Aspirations
Vengu emphasized that this agreement aligns with Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration path, as it enjoys the backing of two NATO member states in all discussions within the Alliance’s frameworks.
“We support Kosovo as two allied NATO members. Kosovo’s integration into Euro-Atlantic structures is a priority for us, and we consistently advocate for its participation in regional forums, such as the Adriatic Charter, which serves as a preparatory step toward NATO membership,” he explained.
Coordination with NATO and the U.S.
When asked whether Albania and Croatia had consulted NATO and the U.S. before forming this military alliance, Vengu clarified that strategic allies had been kept informed throughout the process.
“This is not an alliance against any other party. It is a cooperation between three sovereign nations. Therefore, we are not obligated to consult with entities outside the agreement. However, we have informed our allies and strategic partners from the outset about its objectives,” he asserted.
Potential for Expansion
Vengu also revealed that the agreement is open to other countries and is not limited to just three states.
“Our aim is to expand, and we are already in discussions with other nations, both EU and NATO members, who share a common security perspective on Southeast Europe,” he concluded.
