Croatian President Zoran Milanović, speaking from Skopje, delivered a clear message, emphasizing that the defense cooperation declaration between Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo does not pose a threat to Serbia, reports Rks News.
“I did not participate in the drafting or approval of this document, but as the president of the country and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, I support this memorandum. And in a way, I want to reassure neighboring states, such as Serbia, that there is no reason for concern. North Macedonia is in NATO, and that is enough,” Milanović said during a joint press conference with the President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova.
The Croatian president clarified that the document signed by the three defense ministers is not a formal international agreement, but rather a memorandum of cooperation without legal consequences.
“The document mentioned is not an agreement, but a declaration – a memorandum. It’s a protocol-signed document by three defense ministers. From the perspective of Croatia’s constitutional system, it does not meet the criteria of an international agreement – it is simply a declaration, with no international legal effects,” he added.
Milanović emphasized that Croatia and Albania are NATO member states, while Kosovo remains a friendly state, still outside both the EU and NATO.
“If I were representing North Macedonia, I wouldn’t be worried about this issue at all. It’s not an international agreement, but it is in line with Croatia’s foreign policy.”
Following his meeting with Siljanovska-Davkova, the Croatian president is also expected to meet with North Macedonia’s newly elected Prime Minister, Hristijan Mickoski, during his official visit to Skopje.
