SEPANG, May 4 — Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu departed for Brunei today after concluding her four-day official visit to Malaysia.
A red-carpet farewell was held at the Bunga Raya Complex of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport here, featuring a guard of honour mounted by the First Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment (Ceremonial). She left around noon.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek attended the send-off for Osmani-Sadriu and her delegation.
Osmani-Sadriu arrived in Malaysia on Thursday, marking her first visit to the country since assuming office on April 4, 2021.
On Friday, Osmani-Sadriu was accorded an official welcome, followed by a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
One of the highlights of the visit was the conferment of Kosovo’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Independence, upon Anwar.
The award is granted to those who have made significant contributions towards Kosovo’s independence.
The Kosovo government also conferred the award posthumously on former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in recognition of his contributions during the pivotal moment in the country’s history.
In a joint press conference on Friday, Anwar said Malaysia remains committed to working with Kosovo beyond traditional diplomatic ties, expanding into trade, investment and broader cooperation between both nations.
Meanwhile, Osmani-Sadriu said Kosovo is set to deepen diplomatic, economic and security ties with Malaysia, signified by the opening of its embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Expressing deep gratitude for Malaysia’s longstanding support, Osmani-Sadriu said the bond between the two nations was built not only through diplomacy but also on shared values of unity, dignity and diversity.
Malaysia officially recognised Kosovo on October 30, 2008, becoming one of the first Asian countries to do so. Diplomatic relations were formally established on March 18, 2011.
In 2024, total bilateral trade between Malaysia and Kosovo reached RM28.55 million, with Malaysia’s exports to the republic valued at RM25.92 million, and imports at RM2.63 million.
Key Malaysian exports include palm oil, electrical and electronic products, and manufactured goods, while imports from Kosovo mainly consist of raw materials and semi-precious stones.
— Bernama
