The Croatian Ministry of Defense has said that the trilateral agreement with Albania and Kosovo is being deliberately misinterpreted by Belgrade. Officials in Zagreb say that Minister Ivan Anušić has clarified that the agreement in question is not for combat activities, but a framework for technical cooperation. They have also reminded the Serbian president of the 2010 agreement between Serbia and Croatia, emphasizing that Vučić is deliberately not talking about it, although it is more comprehensive and detailed than the trilateral declaration Croatia-Albania-Kosovo.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, after a meeting with figures from "Republika Srpska", including Milorad Dodik, stated that the security situation is "somewhat more complex" as a result of the alliance between Croatia, Albania and Kosovo, thus warning of additional armament of Serbia.
In an exclusive response to Gazeta Express, the Croatian Ministry of Defense said that Serbia is deliberately misinterpreting the trilateral agreement between Zagreb, Tirana, and Pristina.
"Based on your question about Serbia's reactions to the Tripartite Declaration, we would like to clarify the following. This Tripartite Declaration between Croatia, Albania and Kosovo is being deliberately misinterpreted in Belgrade," the Croatian Ministry of Defense, headed by Ivan Anusic, told Gazeta Express.
The ministry said that Anusic explained that the agreement is not a military alliance or a platform for combat activities, but a framework for technical cooperation, knowledge exchange and cooperation between defense industries for the purpose of regional stability.
"Croatia's activities are directed exclusively towards ensuring regional stability and supporting Albania and Kosovo's path towards European and transatlantic institutions," they added in response.
Official Zagreb has also recalled the fact that Serbia is deliberately remaining silent about the agreement it itself signed with Croatia in 2010, an agreement which is much more comprehensive and detailed than the trilateral declaration between Croatia, Albania and Kosovo.
The Ministry of Defense told Gazeta Express that Croatia, as a sovereign NATO and EU country, independently implements its policy and is committed to transparency when it comes to regional cooperation.
"As a sovereign member of NATO and the EU, Croatia pursues its own independent policy and remains committed to transparent regional cooperation," the ministry said.
Regarding the warnings about armaments made by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, the ministry recalls Minister Anusic's statements that he is not concerned by such statements made by the Serbian head of state.
"Minister Anusic has said in press statements that he is not concerned by President Aleksandar Vucic's announcements that Serbia will further arm itself," the Ministry of Defense's response states.
Minister Anusic said that Vucic can speak about Serbia since it is his country and that he has the legitimacy to do what he thinks he should do and that there is no room for concern.
Meanwhile, NATO has demanded that Serbia be accountable to NATO and its neighbors on the same issue./Express newspaper/
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