Bulgaria to join Kosovo, Albania and Croatia's military alliance
Bulgaria is set to join a trilateral military alliance comprising Kosovo, Albania, and Croatia.
"We have received confirmation from Bulgaria, which had previously discussed with the Croatian minister the possibility of joining this trilateral agreement. I fully believe that other countries from the region—particularly those that share common values with us, and of course, common interests, as values alone are not enough—will join this agreement or, more precisely, this declaration, which I emphasize once again, is always aimed at peace, stability, and security," said Kosovo's Minister of Defence Ejup Maqedonci.
On March 18, the Ministries of Defence of Albania, Kosovo, and Croatia signed a trilateral memorandum of cooperation in defence during a Tirana ceremony.
The declaration sets out plans for military cooperation in joint training, cybersecurity coordination, rapid response capabilities, and defence procurement. However, beyond its technical scope, many analysts view the alliance as a powerful political signal, particularly with Kosovo positioned at its core.
Bulgaria's accession marks a significant expansion of the alliance, both geographically and strategically. As a NATO member since 2004 and an EU member since 2007, Bulgaria brings substantial military experience, logistical resources, and regional influence to the table.
Still, some uncertainty lingers. Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel stated in national media that while Bulgaria maintains strong defence ties with its NATO allies in the region, no final decision has been made regarding formal accession to the Tirana Agreement.
Nevertheless, the political message is clear—there is growing regional momentum for enhanced military cooperation beyond the NATO framework, particularly among nations with shared security concerns and historical connections.
The emergence of this alliance has sparked responses from neighbouring countries. Serbia, in particular, has voiced concern, perceiving the agreement as a potential destabilising force in the region. In turn, Belgrade has begun exploring the possibility of forming a separate military partnership with Hungary."
