Tirana, October 17, 2025 – Kosovo has already passed the stage of post-conflict reconstruction and now finds itself in a phase of growth and progress, particularly economic development. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—one of the most developed countries of the Persian Gulf, with wide influence in the Arab world and a strong supporter of Kosovo’s state-building process and its membership in international organizations—there is strong will to expand cooperation with Kosovo and to support its economic development, including by encouraging investment in various sectors of the economy.
This stance was emphasized by His Excellency Faisal Ghazi Hifzi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Albania and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo, on Thursday in Tirana during a friendly meeting with Mr. Vehbi Bajrami, publisher of the Albanian-American newspaper Illyria in New York—one of the most prominent advocates of the Kosovo cause and Albanian national interests in the U.S. Congress, Senate, and presidential administration.
Mr. Bajrami stated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as a close ally of the United States of America, has played and continues to play a very important role in international efforts for peace and global stability, including peace and stability in the Balkans.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia deserves deep appreciation for its close cooperation with the United States in the interest of world peace. This was clearly demonstrated during President Trump’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia,” said Bajrami, who has lived in the U.S. for more than 35 years.
Owner and director of a business successful in the U.S., Bajrami praised the Kingdom’s generous support for the people of Kosovo during the 1998–1999 war and for the country’s reconstruction afterward. He noted that Kosovo is now in a new stage—one of economic development—and that Saudi Arabia can offer major assistance in this field.
“Kosovo has extraordinary natural resources and development potential, but it needs financial support and foreign investment to fully realize that potential. Saudi investors can play an important role in stimulating sustainable economic growth,” he said.
Bajrami stressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as a nation with strong economic capacity, could significantly aid Kosovo’s economic progress through investments from its Development Fund and private companies.
Ambassador Faisal Ghazi Hifzi affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud remain committed to peace, stability, and global prosperity. He recalled his country’s support for the people of Kosovo during and after the 1999 war.
He emphasized that the King and the Crown Prince, through active diplomacy, have lobbied influential nations to recognize Kosovo’s independence and to support its integration into international organizations. He also noted Saudi Arabia’s financial contributions to improving Kosovo’s infrastructure and public services, including the expansion and modernization of the Prishtina–Mitrovica highway.
Ambassador Hifzi expressed his country’s interest in deepening economic cooperation and increasing the volume of trade and mutual investments. He mentioned that the Saudi government has established a special office to support Saudi investors in the Western Balkans and highlighted the opening of a direct air link between the two countries.
“The new direct flight between Prishtina and Jeddah, opened earlier this month, will serve as an important bridge of connection and cooperation between our two countries and peoples,” he said.
The Saudi ambassador noted that the King, Crown Prince, and Saudi investors are well informed about Kosovo’s natural resources and economic potential. He agreed that both sides now need to develop concrete projects of mutual interest.
“It is time to move from political friendship to concrete economic partnership. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is ready to support any joint project that serves Kosovo’s development and our shared economic interests,” Ambassador Hifzi stated.
He added that personally, through diplomatic and consular channels, he would work to facilitate procedures and promote cooperation, as well as exchanges in the fields of education, culture, and sports.
The meeting was also attended by Mr. Beqir Ismaili, former Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Egypt, a noted scholar of Arabic literature and culture who has made an extraordinary contribution to fostering cultural ties between the Arab and Albanian worlds. He expressed confidence that relations between Kosovo and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will continue to expand in all areas of mutual interest, emphasizing the importance of building bridges of cultural and spiritual cooperation.
Also present was Mr. Ramadan Muçolli, Illyria’s editor for Kosovo, who highlighted some of Kosovo’s key resources and investment potential.
(Illyria)
In the photo above:
Ambassador Faisal Ghazi Hifzi (second from right), Vehbi Bajrami (first from right), Beqir Ismaili (third from right), and Ramadan Muçolli (fourth from right).