German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the first lady arrived in Malaysia on Tuesday for a state visit that will last until Saturday.
KUALA LUMPUR - Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the president of Germany, arrived here today to begin his state visit to Malaysia, which will last until this Saturday. At 6:12 p.m., the plane carrying the president and his wife/First Lady, Elke Budenbender, as well as a delegation made up of senior government officials, businesspeople, and media professionals, touched down at KLIA's Bunga Raya Complex.
When Steinmeier arrived, he was welcomed by the accompanying minister, Nik Azmi Nik Ahmad, the Minister of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change. The First Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment, under the command of Captain Arifuddin Md. Yusuf, provided a local honour guard.
The German Ambassador to Malaysia, Dr. Peter Blomeyer, and the Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, were also in attendance. The visit by Steinmeier is a part of ongoing efforts to deepen the close ties between Malaysia and Germany.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Steinmeier's visit will give Malaysia and Germany the best chance to further their friendly ties and mutually beneficial cooperation in a range of areas.
In April 1997, 26 years ago, a German president made his final state visit to Malaysia. Tomorrow morning, Steinmeier will be greeted by the country at the Parliament grounds in Kuala Lumpur, and in the afternoon, the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, will pay him a visit in Putrajaya.
Steinmeier will also be honored at a state dinner and pay a visit to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, at the Istana Negara. - Bernama (via Astro Awani)