President Milanović on Declaration on Military Cooperation between Croatia, Albania and Kosovo: It is not an alliance and it has no legal weight
“This was an action taken by the Croatian Minister of Defense. Legally speaking, this document carries no weight. It is simply a gesture of goodwill. Unfortunately, Kosovo remains unrecognized by several NATO members, while Albania is a member of NATO—a top-tier Alliance. Montenegro is also part of the Alliance,” said President Zoran Milanović today at the Faculty of Political Science in Podgorica, responding to student questions about the recently signed Declaration on Cooperation in Defense and Security between Croatia, Albania and Kosovo, which has sparked some controversy.
He further explained that it is not an international agreement in the strict sense of the term, nor does it qualify under Croatian law on international agreements. “It’s a gesture, which is legitimate in politics. Serbia did not approve of it, and President Vučić used it as a reason or an excuse for certain domestic political moves. This is not an alliance, and it’s certainly not geopolitics. Geopolitics refers to Ukraine; the Balkans have never been in that category,” President Milanović stated.
At the Faculty of Political Science in Podgorica President Milanović first delivered a lecture, titled “EU Enlargement as a Geopolitical Imperative.” In his lecture, he emphasized the importance of state sovereignty and self-respect, telling the students in Montenegro, “The most valuable thing you have and inherit is your state.”
When discussing European integration, President Milanović stressed the importance of Montenegro staying focused on joining the European Union, but also maintaining dignity and autonomy in its decision-making. He cautioned the students, “Never allow yourself to be put in a position of emotional or any other form of blackmail by those from whom you expect something, due to excessive desire.”
The President also highlighted the importance of developing knowledge and technologies that ensure long-term competitiveness and stability, rather than reducing the region’s economies to a system of low-value-added services. “I want my country to be strong and to possess knowledge, processes, and technologies that are unique, or at least not widely available. I believe you want the same,” he said.
Commenting on the current state of the European Union, the President pointed out that the EU is currently in a politically unstable period, where, despite the importance of European institutions, they cannot replace the functions of a sovereign state. “The European Union was never intended to be a unified state, and it never will be,” he said, emphasizing the differing perceptions of security threats between the northern and southern EU members.
In response to a student’s question about whether the training ship Jadran could impede Montenegro’s EU accession, President Milanović clarified that Croatia’s position is that the ship should belong to Croatia, but he does not believe it would stand in the way of Montenegro’s EU entry. “I stress that this path is yours to choose. Do not become obsessed with it. Montenegro’s path to the EU is your decision, whenever that may happen and whatever it represents at that time,” he stated.
Concluding his remarks, President Milanović urged the students to maintain their self-respect and to always defend their country’s interests. “Preserve your self-respect, don’t let anyone demean you too much, and protect your country,” he concluded.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta