President Vjosa Osmani of Kosovo, accompanied by First Gentleman Prindon Sadriu, has accepted an invitation from the Swiss Federal Council, led by President Karin Keller-Sutter, for a state visit to Switzerland on May 21-22. This marks the first state visit by a Kosovar head of state to Switzerland, a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries.
State visits, the highest level of diplomatic exchange, are reserved for exceptional occasions, highlighting the importance of this event. President Osmani will be welcomed with a state ceremony and full military honors by President Keller-Sutter at Bundesplatz in Bern on May 21, in the presence of Swiss citizens.
The official agenda includes meetings with President Keller-Sutter and the Federal Council, a speech by President Osmani to the Swiss Parliament, and a joint press conference. President Keller-Sutter will also host a state banquet in honor of President Osmani and the Kosovar delegation, celebrating the enduring friendship and partnership between Kosovo and Switzerland.
On the second day of the visit, the two presidents will tour a manufacturing company in eastern Switzerland and visit a center at the University of Saint Gallen, focusing on educational development, an area of significant interest for both countries. President Osmani will also meet with members of the Kosovar diaspora in Geneva.
This state visit is not only historic but also symbolic, underscoring the strong, multifaceted relationship between Kosovo and Switzerland, built on shared history, democratic values, and close cooperation. The Kosovar diaspora in Switzerland plays a vital role in strengthening the ties between the two nations.
Switzerland was among the first countries to recognize Kosovo’s independence in 2008 and has been a key supporter of Kosovo’s democratic, state-building, and development processes.
