| James Kon |
MINISTER of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof and Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Commander Major General Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud received separate courtesy calls from Commanding Officer of the Combat Ships Group of the Pacific Fleet of the Russian Federation and Chief of Staff of the Submarine Forces of the Pacific Fleet Rear Admiral Eduard E Mikhailov on Wednesday.
The minister expressed appreciation to Rear Admiral Eduard E Mikhailov for the successful conduct of the first naval working group discussion held between the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and Russian Navy from November 13-17.
During the call, both sides exchanged views and highlighted matters of mutual interest including naval cooperation in future bilateral naval exercises and training as well as educational visits and courses.
Such efforts hope to enhance bilateral defence relations to uphold the aspirations as stated in the military cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on April 26, 2017 between both countries.
In a separate call, the RBAF Commander welcomed Rear Admiral Eduard E Mikhailov and acknowledged the cordial bilateral military-to-military relations between the RBAF and the Russian Armed Forces.
The RBAF Commander also extended appreciation to Rear Admiral Eduard E Mikhailov and the Russian Navy for the goodwill visit to Brunei Darussalam, which aimed to enhance understanding and friendship between both navies. They discussed potential avenues of cooperation that can be explored in the future.
The Russian Pacific Fleet is currently on a goodwill visit to Brunei Darussalam until today.
Meanwhile, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi received a courtesy call from Chief of Defence Force of the Royal Thai Armed Forces General Ponpipaat Benyasri at the Ministry of Defence on Wednesday.
General Ponpipaat Benyasri was on an introductory visit to Brunei Darussalam from November 21-22.
General Ponpipaat Benyasri was accorded with a guard of honour mounted by Royal Brunei Land Force personnel upon arrival at the Bolkiah Garrison.
During the call, the minister highlighted the close, long-standing bilateral relations bolstered through regular exchange of visits, dialogues, meetings, military exercises, courses and defence exhibitions, as well as the various forms of development and interaction programmes.
Both defence establishments have cooperated extensively over the decades.
The minister also congratulated General Ponpipaat Benyasri on his appointment and expressed hopes to further progress defence relations between both sides.
General Ponpipaat Benyasri also called on Major General Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan.
Both armed forces interact regularly through bilateral and multilateral exercises, professional exchanges and courses, which have enhanced professionalism and interoperability of both armed forces.
General Ponpipaat Benyasri was appointed Thailand’s Chief of Defence Force on October 1, 2018. Prior to his appointment, he was the Chief of Joint Staff of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.