Syria issues decree for diplomatic ties with Brunei
By Rosli Abidin Yahya 

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad issued on Thursday the decree for the year of 2003 stipulating the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Syria and Brunei Darussalam on ambassadorial level, said Arabic News yesterday. His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and his entourage were on a three-day official visit to Damascus last September 16 to 19.

On September 18, His Majesty and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad held a final session of talks in Damascus during which they completed their talks that dealt with bilateral relations and means of strengthening them in various fields.

While in Syria His Majesty visited one of the Syrian armed formations where His Majesty witnessed the implementation of a tactical exercise by live ammunition. On September 16, both leaders held two meetings, one of which was a close-door bilateral meeting during which the two sides reviewed the situation in the region concerning all aspects, the Middle East peace process, bilateral relations and means of strengthening them.

During these talks, the two sides expressed their hope that His Majesty's visit to Syria will contribute to expanding cooperation relations between the two countries in various political, economic, social and economic fields.

Courtesy of Sunday Bulletin