The three-day training exercise was to begin Tuesday in Tirana, and is the first of seven planned within the next year.

“The goal is to enable these specialized forces to participate in peacekeeping and other operations,” a U.S. statement said.

The three Balkan countries signed a U.S.-backed charter pledging to develop a common military strategy as part of their efforts to join NATO.

Hungary will also participate in the training.

The three Balkan nations have small peacekeeping military units in Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia.