Serbia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Military Alliance of Albania and Croatia with Pristina authorities is an open provocation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia will urgently request detailed clarification from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Croatia and Albania regarding the signing of a trilateral memorandum of cooperation in the field of defense, in which these two countries, along with the illegitimate representative of the authorities in Pristina, have taken steps that undermine regional stability.

"Serbia, as a country that guarantees peace and military neutrality in the Balkans, rightly demands answers about the nature and goals of this security cooperation. It is especially disturbing that this military alliance is being formed without consultations with Belgrade, with the direct involvement of a structure that has no international legitimacy and which poses a security threat to the Serbian people and the entire region," the statement said.

It emphasizes that the obvious political message of this initiative will not be ignored.

"It is evident that this memorandum is not the result of accidental cooperation, but rather a targeted strategy aimed at isolating Serbia and strengthening paramilitary structures in the southern Serbian province, in violation of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 1244," they added.

They pointed out that it is highly indicative that it is precisely Serbia's neighboring countries—Croatia and Albania—that decided to initiate this arrangement, and that an invitation to join has also been extended to Serbia’s third neighbor—Bulgaria.

"If, as they claim, this agreement is not directed against anyone, then we demand an explanation as to why Serbia has been excluded from any discussions on collective security in the region? We particularly warn that unilateral arming and military cooperation with illegal structures on the territory of Kosovo and Metohija represents a direct blow to the international legal order and a threat to regional peace. Serbia will not accept this silently," they stated.

As they pointed out, as a country that, despite its military neutrality, is active in the fight against terrorism and all modern security threats, Serbia was ready to consider cooperation in good faith with Croatia and Albania.

"However, this initiative, carried out without Serbia but with Pristina, represents an open provocation and a gross disregard of the reality on the ground. We expect an urgent response from Zagreb and Tirana regarding the real intentions and ultimate goals of this dangerous military-security game. Serbia will not allow any unilateral actions that could jeopardize our territorial integrity, the safety of our citizens, and peace in the region," the statement concluded.