The Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, participated in the ministerial meeting of the Central European Defense Cooperation (CEDC) with Western Balkans partners, held in Brdo near Kranj, Slovenia, where he reaffirmed the strategic orientation of the Republic of Kosovo toward membership in the European Union and NATO.
In his address, Minister Maqedonci emphasized that the security of Central Europe and the Western Balkans in interconnected and presented Kosovo’s progress in building a professional and interoperable force, as well as the priorities for completing the KSF transition, strengthening national resilience, and developing the defense industry.
During the meeting, Minister Maqedonci proposed concrete steps for regional cooperation, including facilitating the movement of forces in crisis situations, coordinating disaster response, and cooperation in the defense industry. In addition, Minister Maqedonci proposed the establishment of a working group for the further development of the initiative to establish the Western Balkans Defense College, where future military and civilian leaders will have the opportunity to learn and build trust together.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants agreed on a joint declaration, which reaffirms the commitment to security, stability, and practical cooperation in the field of defense between Central Europe and the Western Balkans. The declaration emphasizes the importance of readiness, interoperability, and improving military mobility in the region.
The Republic of Kosovo remains committed to contributing as a reliable partner to security and stability in the region and across Europe.
