Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić expressed serious concern over the military cooperation agreement between Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia, calling it a direct threat to Serbia.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Vučić said he is still awaiting an explanation for the formation of the alliance and announced that Serbia will significantly increase its defense investments in response.
“With the formation of a military alliance between Croatia, Pristina, and Tirana, we are seriously threatened and will address this issue with utmost seriousness,” Vučić said. He added that 30 to 40 percent of Serbia’s military production will now be allocated for domestic defense, and that he will personally attend a meeting of the General Staff and Ministry of Defense and visit all military industry facilities.
The alliance was formalized in March of last year through a defense cooperation declaration, in which the three countries pledged to enhance security and stability in Southeast Europe. Defense ministers from the three countries held a meeting earlier this month to discuss implementing the pact, and a meeting of military generals on February 11 confirmed that Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia will conduct their first joint military exercise this year.
Vučić characterized the agreement as “a military and offensive alliance against Serbs and Serbia.”
At the Munich conference, which gathers hundreds of global leaders and officials to discuss international security, Vučić also met with European Council President Antonio Costa, who conveyed Brussels’ concerns regarding recent Serbian legislation related to the judiciary. Vučić responded: “If the Venice Commission issues negative comments, we will act accordingly. We are an independent and sovereign state and draft our own laws.“
Additionally, Vučić met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and announced plans to visit Beijing in the first half of this year to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
