Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia are working to turn their defense declaration earlier this year into concrete action, aiming to strengthen regional security and interoperability.

The agreement, revealed last March, outlined key priorities including boosting defense capabilities, enhancing joint training and interoperability, countering hybrid threats, and advancing Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic ties, Prague-based Radio Evropa e Lire reported.

Acting Kosovo Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci said expert groups met in Tirana in July to break the plan down at an operational level.

The finalized guide is expected to be presented for approval in September to their three defense ministries.

Shared Arms Purchases

Under the cooperation, Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia pledged to coordinate weapons procurement, placing a single joint order instead of separate national purchases — a step seen as the first practical commitment from the March declaration.

“For example, a [weapons] system that all three countries are interested in purchasing from the US, we can place the order as a single purchase…when you buy more from the US, they cost less and arrive faster,” Maqedonci told Radio Evropa e Lire.

Purchases will be funded by each nation, with quantities and delivery times determined jointly.

Training, Exercises, and Hybrid Threats

The agreement calls for joint military exercises — both bilateral and trilateral — expanded training through military academies and colleges, and collaborative efforts to broaden enlistment programs.

Partner states will also work together to counter hybrid threats, including cyberattacks, disinformation, and malign foreign influence, while sharing intelligence to tackle common regional security challenges.

Regional and International Context

The Croatian Ministry of Defense told Radio Evropa e Lire that the initiative is open to interested NATO and EU members wishing to support stability in Southeast Europe while emphasizing that the cooperation does not constitute a military alliance.

In a separate statement, Maqedonci indicated that Kosovo will leverage an upcoming charter meeting between the US and Adriatic countries to encourage additional regional partners to join.

The Pentagon welcomed the agreement during Maqedonci’s June visit, and NATO countries have also expressed support for the initiative. However, this move was opposed by the Serbian government, citing previous subregional arms agreements and suggesting the cooperation risks creating a new military bloc.