Kosovo–Malaysia relations

Bilateral relations

Kosovo–Malaysia relations

Kosovo |
Malaysia
Diplomatic mission
Kosovan Embassy, Kuala Lumpur| Malaysian Embassy, Pristina
Envoy
Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony

Kosovo–Malaysia relations (Albanian: Marrëdhëniet Kosovë-Malajzi; Serbian: Косовско-Малезијски односи Kosovsko-Malezijski odnosi; Malay: Hubungan Kosovo–Malaysia; Jawi: هوبوڠن كوسوۏو–مليسيا) are foreign relations between Kosovo and Malaysia. Formal relations between the two countries first began in 2000, when Malaysia became the first Asian country to establish a liaison office in Kosovo.[1][2] Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008 and Malaysia recognised it on 30 October 2008.[3][4]

## Pre-independence relations

[edit]

Since 1999, immediately after Kosovo came under United Nations administration, Malaysia agreed to send peacekeepers as part of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo.[5] Later that year, in September, Malaysia began to make plans for "a centre to coordinate medical relief aid and missions to help Kosovo war victims," and began raising funds for assistance to Kosovo.[6]

In September 2000, these plans finally took effect when Malaysia established a liaison office in Kosovo "to coordinate Malaysian assistance and to liaise with the Malaysian security personnel assigned to the United Nations," becoming the sixth country, and the first in Asia, to establish such an office.[1] The establishment of the office was in line with a broader Malaysian policy of self-determination in the Balkans, and a concern for the large Muslim population of Kosovo. The liaison office in Kosovo quickly began to disburse Malaysian aid, totalling more than $300,000 in the first year, including money to construct a mosque and purchase medical supplies for a hospital in Pristina.[7]

In the fall of 2000, the Malaysian government also strongly supported holding elections in Kosovo as soon as possible. On 28 September 2000, the Malaysian ambassador to the United Nations, Datuk Hasmy Agam, praised the progress towards elections, but told the UN that free and fair elections could "only be guaranteed by the active support of the international community". In the same speech, Agam also strongly advocated for new UN efforts to promote security and stability in Kosovo, and expressed a strong desire to work on the issue of missing persons.[8][9] After successful municipal elections in Kosovo in October 2000, Malaysia pushed for a Kosovo-wide general election.[10]

On 18 September 2000, the first group of Malaysian policemen sent to Kosovo returned home. The next month, Malaysia sent a deployment of one hundred policemen to continue assisting the UN security effort. All of the Malaysian forces to serve in Kosovo up to that time received a medal and letter of appreciation in recognition of their services.[11]

## Recognition

[edit]

Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008. The Malaysian foreign ministry issued a statement welcoming the declaration, and saying: "Malaysia hopes the declaration of independence fulfils the aspiration of the people of Kosovo to decide their own future and ensure the rights of all to live in peace, freedom and stability".[12] Despite its supportive statement, Malaysia did not immediately recognise Kosovo, and Malaysian foreign minister Rais Yatim, issued a statement in April saying that Malaysia was "not in hurry to impose recognition or otherwise".[13]

In August, after a meeting with the Serbian foreign minister, Malaysia decided to put the issue of Kosovo's recognition on hold until a ruling of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the declaration.[14] Kosovo, however, sought to pressure Malaysia for earlier recognition. In September 2008, Kosovo's foreign minister, Skënder Hyseni, met with Rais and asked him "to recognise Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state as soon as possible". Rais provided Hyseni with a promise that Malaysia "would recognise Kosovo very soon, and would work on establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries".[15] The Albanian Foreign Minister Edit Harxhi also made a similar request to Malaysia to recognise the newly formed country.[16]

As Rais had promised, Malaysia did not wait for the ICJ decision, and recognised Kosovo on 30 October 2008.[3][17] As a result of Malaysia's recognition, Serbia immediately expelled the Malaysian ambassador.[18] Despite the Serbian opposition, Malaysia maintained its support of Kosovo.[19]

## Relations since recognition

[edit]

Since recognition, Malaysia has assisted Kosovo in establishing internationally recognised sports leagues. In November 2008, Valton Beqiri, the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports of Kosovo visited Malaysia and met with Tunku Imran, Chairman of the Malaysian Olympic Committee, and member of the International Olympic Committee. Imran pledged assistance in gaining spots for athletes from Kosovo in international tournaments.[20]

Malaysia initially planned to convert its liaison office in Kosovo into an embassy, but in January 2009, it closed the office and scrapped plans for an embassy for financial reasons due to re-organisation within the Malaysian foreign ministry.[21] Malaysia now maintains an honorary consulate in Pristina.[22]

The Republic of Kosovo President, Fatmir Sejdiu, travelled on 15 May 2010 to Malaysia, where at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister, he took part at the International Islamic Economic Forum and met with other Leaders of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.[23] At the forum, Sejdiu said that "On behalf of the Republic of Kosovo, I avail myself of this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the people and the state of Malaysia and for other countries that have acknowledged our right to live in freedom and independence".[24]

On 8 March 2011, Kosovo and Malaysia established full diplomatic relations. The Malaysian embassy in Rome, Italy is accredited to Kosovo.[25] On 30 January 2017, Kosovo's Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj and its delegates made a visit to Malaysia to discover opportunities in trade and business co-operation.[2]

### 2025 official visit to Malaysia

[edit]

On 1 May 2025, the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, travelled to Malaysia for a four-day long official visit. She landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where she was received by Malaysia's Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.[26][27][28]

On the next day, she met with Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Perdana Putra.[29][30][31] There, she awarded Anwar the Order of Independence —the highest civilian honour of Kosovo— in recognition of Malaysia's support for Kosovo’s statehood and post-independence development, and also Anwar's personal commitment in strengthening bilateral relations.[29][32][33]

In a joint press conference with Anwar, she described Malaysia as “more than just a friend to Kosovo”, but a “partner in our shared pursuit of peace, prosperity and progress”.[34] In the same day, Osmani also officiated the opening of Kosovon Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.[35][34][36] Osmani described the newly-opened embassy as "a window through which Kosovo engages with the world".[35]

During the embassy's opening ceremony, she also posthumously awarded the Order of Independence to the late prime minister of Malaysia, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, whom she met in 2008, for his support of Kosovo's independence and his efforts to garner international backing for Kosovo. Under Abdullah's leadership, Malaysia is one of the first countries to recognise Kosovo's independence.[32] The award was received on Abdullah's behalf by his son-in-law, Khairy Jamaludin.[35][37][38]

In an interview with RTM and Bernama, Osmani hailed the recent granting of 30-day visa-free entry to Kosovo citizens by the Malaysian government on 25 April 2025[39] as a new milestone that will further boost the two nations’ ties. Osmani said Kosovo had previously granted 90-day visa-free entry to Malaysian citizens sometime ago, and now Malaysia has reciprocated the move.[40][41]

On 3 May, after visiting the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Osmani visited Abdullah's grave and paid her respects to him at the Heroes' Mausoleum of National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, together with some of Abdullah's family members.[38][42] Osmani concluded his official visit in Malaysia the next day and left for Brunei.[43][44]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Malaysia establishes formal diplomatic relations with Kosovo". Bernama. The Borneo Post. 25 March 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
2. ^ a b "Kosovo explores trade and investment in Malaysia". Malay Mail. 30 January 2017. Archived from the original on 20 June 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
3. ^ a b "Malajzia njeh Republikën e Kosovës" (in Albanian). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo. 31 October 2008. Archived from the original on 20 January 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2008.
4. ^ "Statement by the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kosovo H.E. Skender Hyseni to the United Nations Security Council". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kosovo. 26 November 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
5. ^ Sarah Jane Meharg; Aleisha Arnusch (2010). Security Sector Reform: A Case Study Approach to Transition and Capacity Building. Strategic Studies Institute. pp. 23–. ISBN 978-1-58487-418-8.
6. ^ "Malaysia To Set Up Kosovo Relief Aid Coordination Centre". Utusan Malaysia. 3 September 1999. Archived from the original on 16 December 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
7. ^ "Sumbangan bina masjid di Kosovo". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 3 August 2000. Archived from the original on 16 December 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
8. ^ "Security Council hears briefing on Kosovo by Assistant Secretary-General for peacekeeping operations [Press Release SC/6889]". United Nations. 13 July 2000. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
9. ^ "Briefing on Kosovo by Assistant Secretary-General for peacekeeping operations draws mixed reaction from council members [Press Release SC/6914]". United Nations. 24 August 2000. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
10. ^ "Special Representative in Kosovo Briefs Security Council, Says Recent Municipal Elections "Victory" for Democracy [Press Release UNIS/SC/1280]". United Nations Information Service Vienna. 17 November 2000. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
11. ^ Azian Aziz (29 December 2005). "Setahun di Kosovo tinggalkan banyak pengalaman". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Retrieved 16 December 2017.
12. ^ "Malaysia Welcome"s Kosovo"s declaration of independence". Kuwait News Agency. 20 February 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
13. ^ "Malaysia Still Mulling Kosovo Recognition". Balkan Insight. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
14. ^ "Malaysia freezes recognition procedure". Tanjug. B92. 11 August 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
15. ^ "Foreign minister urges Malaysia, Egypt to recognise Kosovo's independence". BBC Monitoring Europe. 30 September 2008. `{{cite web}}`: Missing or empty `|url=` (help)
16. ^ "Albania Urges Malaysia to Recognise Kosovo". Balkan Insight. 31 October 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
17. ^ "Malaysia Recognises Kosovo Independence". Balkan Insight. 31 October 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
18. ^ "Serbia expels Malaysian ambassador over Kosovo recognition". Xinhua News Agency. People's Daily Online. 1 November 2008. Archived from the original on 16 December 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
19. ^ "Malaysia To Stick To Kosovo Recognition". Bernama. 2 November 2008. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2017. (subscription required)
20. ^ Gent Prokshi (5 November 2008). "Malaysia to support Kosovo sports federations". New Kosova Report. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2009.
21. ^ "Daily says Malaysia closing down office in Kosovo due to financial reasons". BBC Monitoring Europe. 11 January 2009. `{{cite web}}`: Missing or empty `|url=` (help)
22. ^ 马来西亚驻意大利大使馆. "名誉领事". Retrieved 4 January 2022.
23. ^ "Kosovo President on official visit to Malaysia". New Kosova Report. 14 May 2010. Archived from the original on 18 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
24. ^ "Kosovo President Expresses Appreciation For Malaysia's Recognition". Bernama. 19 May 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2010. (subscription required)
25. ^ "The Republic of Kosovo establishes diplomatic relations with Malaysia". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kosovo. 23 March 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
26. ^ "Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu arrives in Malaysia for official visit". The Star. BERNAMA. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
27. ^ "Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu arrives in Malaysia for official visit". BERNAMA. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
28. ^ "OFFICIAL VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO TO MALAYSIA 1 – 4 MAY 2025". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
29. ^ a b "Kosovo President given official welcome". Berita RTM. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
30. ^ "Kosovo President Accorded Official Welcome At Perdana Putra". BERNAMA. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
31. ^ Sallehuddin, Qistina (2 May 2025). "Kosovo president meets Anwar to strengthen bilateral ties [WATCH]". New Straits Times. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
32. ^ a b Sallehuddin, Qistina (2 May 2025). "[UPDATED] Anwar conferred Kosovo's highest civilian honour [WATCH]". New Straits Times. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
33. ^ "Kosovo honours Anwar with Order of Independence". The Star. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
34. ^ a b "Kosovo to strengthen ties with Malaysia through enhanced cooperation". The Edge. BERNAMA. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
35. ^ a b c "Kosovo Embassy In Kuala Lumpur Important To Expending Southeast Asia Ties - Kosovo President". BERNAMA. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
36. ^ "Kosovo opens embassy in Malaysia". Free Malaysia Today. BERNAMA. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
37. ^ "Kosovo honours late Malaysian PM for championing independence". New Straits Times. BERNAMA. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
38. ^ a b "Kosovo president honours ex-PM Pak Lah, among earliest Asian leaders to back country's independence". Malay Mail. BERNAMA. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
39. ^ "Kosovo President To Visit Malaysia, Hails Visa Exemption Decision". BERNAMA. 29 April 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
40. ^ "Visa-free entry for Kosovars to Malaysia sparks hopes for deeper ties, trade and tourism boost". Malay Mail. BERNAMA. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
41. ^ "Malaysia's visa exemption for Kosovars marks new milestone, says President Osmani". New Straits Times. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
42. ^ "Kosovo President pays respects at Pak Lah's grave". The Star. BERNAMA. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
43. ^ "Kosovo President Osmani Concludes Four-day Visit To Malaysia". BERNAMA. 4 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
44. ^ "Kosovo President Osmani concludes four-day visit to Malaysia". The Star. BERNAMA. 4 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.

## See also

[edit]

* Foreign relations of Kosovo
* Foreign relations of Malaysia

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Foreign relations of Kosovo

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