PUTRAJAYA, 2 May – Kosovo President Dr Vjosa Osmani Sadriu received an official welcome at the Perdana Putra Complex this morning as part of her four-day official visit to Malaysia. The ceremony symbolised the strong diplomatic ties between the two countries.
President Osmani arrived at 9am and was warmly greeted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The official ceremony began with the playing of the national anthems of Malaysia and Kosovo, followed by an inspection of the guard of honour.
The guard of honour was composed of three officers and 103 personnel from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (Istiadat), led by Maj Muhammad Fikri Senan.
Several high-profile figures were also present, including Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Cabinet members, foreign diplomats, and senior government officials.
After the formalities, President Osmani signed the visitors’ book before proceeding to a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss bilateral relations and potential areas of cooperation.
Malaysia was the first Asian country to officially recognise Kosovo’s independence on 30 October 2008. Full diplomatic relations were established on 18 March 2011, marking a significant step in international relations between the two nations.
In 2024, the bilateral trade value between Malaysia and Kosovo reached RM28.55 million (USD6 million). Malaysia’s exports to Kosovo were valued at RM25.92 million (USD5.5 million), mainly comprising palm oil, electrical and electronic products, and manufactured goods. Imports from Kosovo stood at RM2.63 million (USD550,000), consisting mainly of raw materials and gemstones.
This official visit is expected to further enhance cooperation in trade, investment, and education between Malaysia and Kosovo. — Bernama
