| Hakim Hayat |
BRUNEI Darussalam and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam continue to benefit from mutual cooperation in many sectors as both countries reach 25 years of diplomatic relations next year, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam said yesterday.
In a titah delivered during the state banquet in honour of visiting Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse Nguyen Thi Hien hosted by His Majesty and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam at the Istana Nurul Iman last evening, the monarch said the long-standing relations are strongly reflected in the practical cooperation both countries have in energy, agriculture and fisheries, education, labour, defence and people-to-people exchanges.
In the energy sector, His Majesty expressed his appreciation for Vietnam’s involvement in Brunei’s offshore platform and welcomed initiatives to build on existing ties by further collaboration in projects in the future.
His Majesty also said that direct air linkages with Ho Chi Minh City have enhanced the mobility of people from both countries, and later expressed his appreciation for the contributions of Vietnamese nationals in Brunei’s development, notably by teachers, workers and well as experts in agriculture and fisheries.
In the field of education, His Majesty noted that the growing exchanges between students from both countries under the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Discovery Year have helped to ensure that the friendship forged will pass down to future generations.
His Majesty hoped that the recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cultural Cooperation will instil deeper understanding and appreciation of both countries’ heritage and culture.
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam delivering his titah
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam; Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse Nguyen Thi Hien during the state banquet at the Istana Nurul Iman.
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah, and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah.
His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.
Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam.
On the regional front, His Majesty said he looks forward to work closely together to enhance overall peace, prosperity and progress while also noting the numerous challenges today that require both countries to stand united in safeguarding the political and economic stability in the region. “Our achievements in Asean have laid a strong foundation to strengthen our partnership in the Asia-Pacific region,” His Majesty added.
His Majesty also said that Brunei looks forward to closer engagements in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) pact as well as the timely conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Earlier in the titah, His Majesty praised the progress Vietnam has made over the years. “Vietnam has enjoyed political stability and economic progress through your government’s socio-economic development plans since the inception of the ‘Doi Moi’ policy in the 1980s,” the monarch said, while expressing hope that Vietnam under President Tran’s leadership will achieve its aim to become an industrialised country by 2020 and continue to improve the livelihoods of its people.
Vietnam and its people’s achievements, His Majesty said, are an inspiration to Brunei as it pursues its own Vision 2035.
“My government and people join me in wishing your continued success and we look forward to strengthening the long-standing ties that link us in goodwill and common purpose,” His Majesty said in concluding the titah.
Also in attendance at the state banquet were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel.
Also present were Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam, as well as other members of the royal family.
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