Serbia voices concern over Croatia-Slovenia defense deal
Foreign Minister Djuric says move undermines trust, builds ‘walls instead of bridges’
BELGRADE
Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric on Monday criticized the defense cooperation declaration signed last week between Croatia and Slovenia, warning that such moves threaten regional stability and exclude neighbors from vital security discussions.
“Croatia and Slovenia are sending the message that walls are being built instead of bridges,” Djuric said in an interview with Serbia’s Radio and Television.
The Croatian and Slovenian defense ministers signed the declaration on Sept. 5 in Zagreb, pledging broader cooperation between their armed forces and defense industries.
While officials in Zagreb and Ljubljana hailed the pact as a step toward greater stability in Southeast Europe, Belgrade views the process with caution.
Djuric argued that the agreement lacked transparency and failed to take into account regional concerns.
“Of course, we do not object to countries exercising their right to defense cooperation, but the process could have been more inclusive,” Djuric said.
He stressed that both states already have defense commitments through NATO.
“Creating additional alliances without consulting neighbors is troubling. We believe everything should be transparent,” he added.
The minister also recalled Croatia’s earlier defense cooperation agreements with Albania and Kosovo, which Serbia opposed. He described those as “provocations” that undermined trust.
“Unfortunately, these developments are not bringing us closer to meaningful cooperation,” Djuric said.
