In an interview with KosovaPress, former President Alfred Moisiu called for Albania and Kosovo to establish a joint defense strategy to address regional security challenges. He emphasized the need for closer military cooperation between the two countries to deter potential Serbian aggression.

Why is this important: Moisiu’s comments come amid heightened tensions in the region following the terrorist attack in Banjskë, which he attributes to Serbian President Aleksandar Vuçiç. His call for a unified defense strategy reflects the need for Albania and Kosovo to align their efforts in light of Serbia’s ongoing ambitions.

Serbia’s involvement in the Banjskë attack: According to Moisiu, Vuçiç played a key role in planning the September 24, 2023, attack on the Kosovo Police in Banjskë, carried out by armed Serb militants. The attack was claimed by Millan Radoiçiq, a former Serbian List leader with close ties to the Serbian government.

“It’s unimaginable that the Serbian president wasn’t involved,” Moisiu said. “Serbia operates like a dictatorship—nothing happens without Vuçiç knowing.” He warned that Serbia continues to harbor hegemonic ambitions over Kosovo, complicating efforts to achieve lasting peace.

Dialogue and coordinated action: Despite his criticism of Serbia, Moisiu underscored the importance of continuing the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue to reach a final settlement. He urged Kosovo’s leaders to coordinate closely with the U.S. and the EU, saying that cooperation with allies is essential for managing challenges in the north.

“Every action must be aligned with our allies, especially the U.S.,” Moisiu said. “They helped create Kosovo, and we must work with them to safeguard it. Unilateral moves only hurt our cause.”

Moisiu criticized both the Albanian and Kosovar governments for not working closely enough and reiterated the need for a joint defense strategy between their militaries. “With a shared defense strategy, we’ll be stronger and better prepared to face any challenge.”

Kosovo’s actions in the north draw criticism: Kosovo has taken several steps to assert control over the Serb-majority north, including shutting down parallel Serbian structures and banning the use of the Serbian dinar. These actions have drawn U.S. criticismfor being too one-sided, with American officials urging Kosovo to take a more balanced approach.