On June 13, Kosovo and the United States are expected to sign a framework document that guarantees broader cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense. Acting Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, says that the agreement aims to strengthen defense capacities, as well as long-term cooperation with the United States. Security experts see this as a contribution to preventing hybrid threats
The framework agreement for defense cooperation, which Kosovo is expected to sign on June 13 with the United States of America, is of particular importance for the defense of the territory and for strengthening relations between the two countries, said the acting Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci.
The signing of this agreement between the US Department of Defense and the Kosovo Ministry of Defense was announced a day ago by the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti.
Macedonia said that the document, which covers the period from 2025 to 2030, aims to create long-term cooperation with the United States.
“Through this agreement, areas of cooperation will be further specified with the aim of achieving the objectives of the Comprehensive Transition Plan, increasing interoperability between our forces, cooperation in the field of the defense industry, and the joint contribution of our countries to regional and global peace and security,” he stated.
He said that such military cooperation agreements and memoranda are not intended to threaten any country, but rather to develop defense capacities and increase cooperation that contributes to Kosovo’s alignment with NATO.
The Macedonian explained that the agreement is part of a process that began earlier, that received approval in principle from the Government, and that was subsequently updated.
Security expert Nuredin Ibishi described its signing as an efficient tool in preventing threatening actions by Serbia, as well as in paving the way for agreements of this nature with European Union countries.
“The expansion of these agreements makes security or the prevention of the possibility of a hybrid war much more stable, which is what Serbia, or Russia in the geostrategic aspect, is trying to involve in the Balkans by creating conflict situations. I think that in this regard it will not be only these two agreements, but it will also continue with European Union countries, such as Germany, France, Italy and others”, said Ibishi.
The government approved the agreement in March, by which Kosovo and the United States engage in advancing cooperation in the areas of defense planning, strategic sustainability, and building strategic military capacities.