Croatian Minister responds to Serbia's threats: The time when Belgrade was asked has passed, Kosovo is our friend

 Croatia’s Defense Minister Ivan Anušić has responded to Serbia’s Foreign Ministry, which earlier declared that Serbia "will not remain silent" regarding the trilateral defense agreement signed between Croatia, Kosovo, and Albania on March 18 in Tirana. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in defense and security — a move Serbia labeled as an "open provocation" directed at Belgrade.

Ivan Anušić

Minister Anušić dismissed Serbia’s objections, asserting that Croatia no longer consults Belgrade on its decisions. "The days when Croatia asked Belgrade what it could do and how it should operate are long behind us and will never return. Croatia has been an independent and sovereign state for 35 years, having endured five years of aggression from the very policies now lecturing us," he said, as reported by Dnevnik.hr.

Anušić emphasized that Croatia would continue signing defense agreements with its allies. "Albania is our NATO ally, and Kosovo is our friend, which we have recognized. Other countries will also join this memorandum. There is no mention of Serbia, aggression, or any activities that endanger anyone — including Serbia — in this agreement," he stated.

He further highlighted the practical goals of the agreement, particularly joint efforts to combat cyber warfare. "This is exactly what we will do: work with Albania and Kosovo to eliminate cyber threats, which Croatia has faced for five or six years now, just like Albania and Kosovo. We will work together to prevent these threats across our three countries. That’s the essence of this deal, and Croatia certainly will not seek Belgrade’s permission for what it does," Anušić concluded.

Serbian authorities previously indicated a willingness to consider cooperation with Croatia and Albania in good faith. However, they now argue that the initiative, excluding Serbia but involving Kosovo, represents an "open provocation" and a "significant disregard for the realities on the ground." Serbia’s Foreign Ministry has demanded an urgent response from Zagreb and Tirana, seeking clarity on the "true goals and final objectives of this dangerous military-security maneuver." The ministry insisted that Serbia would not tolerate any unilateral actions threatening its territorial security.

Kosovo’s Defense Minister, Ejup Maqedonci, who signed the agreement alongside Albania’s Pirro Vengu and Croatia’s Ivan Anušić, defended the deal, stating the three nations are committed to advancing cooperation. "Based on our shared values, common geostrategic orientations, and mutual commitments to regional collaboration, Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo commit to strengthening cooperation and advancing efforts to protect our territories and peoples, contributing to international peace and security, and developing the defense industry," Maqedonci said after the signing.

He elaborated that the three states would focus on improving military interoperability through education, training, and joint exercises, tackling hybrid threats, and coordinating policies for Euro-Atlantic integration. "This cooperation is not a threat to anyone but an additional commitment to maintaining peace and regional stability in the Western Balkans. Together with Albania and Croatia, Kosovo is stronger, the region safer, and peace more stable," Maqedonci asserted.

Albanian Defense Minister Pirro Vengu described the declaration as a significant step toward strengthening defense capabilities, advancing the defense industry and technology, and enhancing military interoperability in the region. "Albania and Croatia will continue to support Kosovo in its aspiration for full integration into regional and Euro-Atlantic structures," Vengu wrote on X.

Albania and Croatia, both NATO member states, have reiterated their commitment to backing Kosovo’s long-term goal of joining the alliance.