BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on Monday (May 5) welcomed President of Kosovo Dr Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu and First Gentleman Prindon Sadriu, who are in Brunei Darussalam for a three-day state visit, marking Dr Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu’s inaugural visit to the Sultanate.
The state welcoming ceremony was held at the grounds of Istana Nurul Iman, in which Their Majesties, together with the President of Kosovo and First Gentleman proceeded to the special dais to receive the salute of honour, accompanied with the national anthems of both countries and a 21 gun salute.
The two leaders inspected the guard of honour mounted by members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
The President of Kosovo and First Gentleman were introduced to members of the royal family while the Sultan was introduced to the official delegation of Kosovo, including the Chief of Staff, Office of the President of Kosovo; and advisers from Office of the President of Kosovo.
Following the state welcoming ceremony, Their Majesties received in audience the President of Kosovo and First Gentleman at Cheradi Laila Kenchana, Istana Nurul Iman.
Present at the audience ceremony were members of the royal family.
Also present were the delegation of Kosovo; Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Abdul Manaf Metussin, as the Minister-in-Attendance; and spouse.
The audience ceremony was also held in conjunction with the Conferment of the ‘Order of Independence’ presented upon the monarch by the President of Kosovo.
The Sultan consented to confer a state decoration, Darjah Kerabat Laila Utama Yang Amat Dihormati (DK) on the President of Kosovo, which carried the title of ‘Datin Laila Utama’.
The Sultan then held a bilateral meeting with the President of Kosovo at Cheradi Ratna Kenchana, where both leaders discussed bilateral and international issues of mutual importance, in particular, exploring ways to enhance economic cooperation and people-to-people ties between the two countries especially the signing of a Visa Waiver Agreement which will make easier to pave the way to enhance cooperation between the two countries.
The monarch signed an agreement between Kosovo and Brunei on visa exemption for ordinary, diplomatic and official passports with the President of Kosovo.
At noon, Their Majesties hosted a state banquet in honour of the President of Kosovo and First Gentleman. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
