Montenegro seeks military cooperation agreement with Serbia, Hungary, and Slovakia

Montenegrin MP and Democratic People's Party leader Milan Knežević has called for Montenegro to sign a military-technical cooperation agreement with Serbia, Hungary, and Slovakia.

He argued that Podgorica must take this step in response to a pact signed between Kosovo, Croatia, and Albania, which he claimed was directly aimed at Serbia and Montenegro, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

"This idea that no one will touch us because we are a NATO member—well, Croatia and Albania are also NATO members, so why are they doing this now?" Mr Knežević said.

To recall, on March 18, the defence ministers of Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo signed a declaration in Tirana to enhance military cooperation. The agreement outlines joint training, intelligence sharing, and coordination with Euro-Atlantic security structures. The three parties also expressed a willingness to involve other nations in this emerging military alliance.

Serbia’s relations with Hungary and Slovakia have strengthened in recent years. Economic ties have deepened, particularly with the Belgrade–Budapest railway and energy cooperation via the Turkish Stream. Although Hungary recognised Kosovo’s independence, it has taken positions favourable to Serbia, such as opposing Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe. Slovakia, which does not recognise Kosovo, also shares close ties with Serbia.

The three nations—Serbia, Hungary, and Slovakia—are also aligned on migration control and economic ties with Russia. Serbia has not imposed sanctions on Moscow, while Hungary and Slovakia, despite complying with EU restrictions, have advocated for limiting further sanctions.

Given Hungary and Slovakia’s NATO membership, their cooperation with Serbia serves as a diplomatic balancing act. Analyst Vadim Trukhachev suggests that Serbia’s engagement with these countries may act as leverage in broader geopolitical negotiations.

By Aghakazim Guliyev