A new regional defense initiative led by Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia is gaining traction, with other Balkan nations considering joining the alliance. Croatia has taken the lead in forging military agreements with the two Albanian-majority states, signaling a growing commitment to regional security cooperation.
Bulgaria has already expressed its willingness to become part of this initiative, while there are speculations that North Macedonia might follow suit. However, according to military affairs expert Selim Ibrahimi, North Macedonia’s participation remains uncertain under its current government, which he describes as being closely aligned with Serbia.
“The military trio of Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo maintains an uncertain relationship with North Macedonia, given Skopje’s increasing ties with Belgrade under the new government. To counterbalance Serbia’s influence—especially as the United States considers reducing its security presence in Europe—the inclusion of Bulgaria, a historically significant regional player, could help stabilize the alliance. The success of this initiative will depend on the trio’s ability to deepen cooperation, secure NATO and EU support, and effectively manage regional tensions,” Ibrahimi stated.
On the other hand, criminology professor Fatmir Çollaku offers a different perspective. He believes that, in addition to Bulgaria and North Macedonia, Turkey could also join the initiative. According to him, these countries have already welcomed the trilateral agreement and see it as a step toward a more advanced and consolidated regional defense structure.
“This initiative will undoubtedly attract more states. It has already been publicly acknowledged that Bulgaria is interested, and Turkey has also expressed its readiness to support and further develop this agreement into a structured and consolidated alliance among friendly nations. It is highly likely that neighboring countries like North Macedonia will eventually join, creating a broader regional military alliance,” Çollaku noted.
He further suggested that this initiative aligns with the vision of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had called for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own military defense.
“This is a direct response to Trump’s calls for restructuring armed forces in Europe and possibly even withdrawing from NATO. It implies that European and Balkan nations must seek more pragmatic and self-sufficient military solutions to protect themselves from any potential threats,” he explained.
The agreement between Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia was officially signed in Tirana, where the defense ministers emphasized that the initiative is not a threat to any country. The growing interest in the alliance underscores an evolving security landscape in the Balkans, driven by both regional dynamics and global geopolitical shifts.