BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN APRIL 5: The 23rd Annual Leaders Consultation between His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Prime Minister of Malaysia reaffirmed their commitment to further nurture the special relationship by broadening and strengthening collaboration in an array of mutually beneficial areas.
They also expressed appreciation on the continuous efforts to deepen exchanges and promote strategic cooperation in various fields under the respective bilateral mechanisms.
Leaders also welcomed the recent discussions between the foreign ministers during the official visit of Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein to Brunei Darussalam on 28th February-1st March 2021.
In the Joint Statement between the two leaders at the Consultation session, they have discussed the possible cooperation in vaccine diplomacy.
The cooperation will be centred on three matters which include a reciprocal vaccination arrangement covering diplomats, students and expatriates ensuring access to vaccine supplies for both countries and reciprocal and mutual recognition of vaccination certificate between both nations as this will facilitate cross-border movement of people between both countries.
Among the major issues mentioned in the Joint Statement is that both Leaders welcomed the formalisation of the Unitisation Agreement (UA) between the Brunei National Unitisation Secretariat of PETRONAS that signifies the strong cooperation between the two sides.
The UA will provide a positive momentum to the oil and gas cooperation between both countries.
The Leaders tasked their respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs to ensure the convening of the First Meeting of the Joint Brunei Darussalam-Malaysia Land Boundary Committee to discuss the findings of the Joint Land Boundary Technical Committee and to further strategies a concrete way forward on all related outstanding issues.
The Leaders underscored the need to enhance closer economic cooperation especially between Brunei and the states of Sabah and Sarawak. Both Leaders reiterated the importance of enhancing connectivity with the opening of the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge to facilitate greater international trade and investment opportunities between both countries as well as through Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
The Leaders also reaffirmed the importance of close defence ties between Brunei and Malaysia and expressed commitment to strengthen the collaboration between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) in areas of strategic importance through exchange of visits, training and military exercises.
The Leaders welcomed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two governments on cooperation in Disaster Management which would strengthen ties in this area particularly through training, the conduct of joint exercises, operations and the exchange of expertise and information related to disaster prevention and risk deduction.
In the two day visit, Prime Minister, Muhyiddin also congratulated His Majesty Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan Brunei Darussalam for being the Chairman of ASEAN 2021 and had stressed Malaysia’s commitment to cooperate closely with Brunei in the implementation of the regional post pandemic recovery efforts.
Both Leaders also reaffirmed their commitments to undertake mutual cooperation in the areas of information and communication technology , including multimedia and cybersecurity and welcomed the progress made towards finalising the MoU on info-Communication Media.
Both Leaders agreed to advance ASEAN’s proactive and outward looking approach in the conduct of ASEAN’s external relations based on shared interests, constructive engagements and mutual benefits which can contribute to ASEAN’s Community –building.
In this regard, both Leaders welcomed the United Kingdom to become a dialogue partner of ASEAN as well as the application of Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates to be Sectoral Dialogue Partners of ASEAN. –Malaysia World News
