Sultan Raises Concern On Avian Flu

Bandar Seri Begawan – His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam raised the issue on the emergence of avian flu and the outbreak of the infectious disease at the I l "' Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur yesterday morning.

His Majesty also emphasised that enhancing for cooperation in the transportation, communication and Asean Exchange Programme involving the youth and culture would ensure in realising a sense of belonging to Asean community.

His Majesty also reiterated the call that the business communities should benefit from the economic policies and measures introduced by Asean.

After the summit, His Majesty consented to join other Asean heads of state and government to sign the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Establishment of the Asean Charter.

Present at the signing ceremony was His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Declaration states that the Asean Charter will, among others, serve as a legal and institutional framework of Asean to support the realisation of its goals and objectives.

His Majesty later attended the 9"' Asean Plus Three Summit that brought together leaders of Asean and their counterparts from China, Japan and South Korea.

The leaders discussed issues of mutual interest including the progress of Asean+3 cooperation.

His Majesty in his titah emphasised the importance of dialogue and consultations for the peace and stability of the region as well as for the cooperation and development that people were seeking all over East Asia.

His Majesty reaffirmed the relevance ofAsean and the Plus Three framework in the regional architecture of East Asia even as the East Asia summit was convening in a couple of days.

His Majesty urged that the geographical proximity of Asean+3 partners not only made them natural partners but also served as a good basis to forge closer economic ties. His Majesty was also pleased with the efforts to strengthen all aspects of cultural cooperation.

In fostering a sense of identity with the East Asia region, His Majesty suggested enhanced cooperation in communication, transportation, air linkages as well as information and communications technology as one practical way to achieve it.

His Majesty encouraged Asean+3 to cooperate in a more comprehensive nature, especially in dealing with common challenges and called to establish cooperation in the area of disaster management and to curb infectious diseases.

His Majesty also stated that the Asean+3 framework of cooperation should be the prime mover to realise the East Asia community. His Majesty therefore believed that it was essential for the Asean+3 process to continue to deepen its dialogue and cooperation activities in all areas in order to set the direction and pace for the East Asia community building.

His Majesty then joined other leaders to sign the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Asean Plus Three Summit.

Later, His Majesty attended the 9'1 Asean-China Summit. At the meeting, His Majesty expressed his satisfaction on the progress of the Asean-China cooperation especially in the priority areas such as [CT as well as human resource development.

His Majesty also expressed the hope that more could be still achieved in the economic area specifically in services and investment with the view to establish a comprehensive economic cooperation.

His Majesty was also pleased with the role played by China in the development ofAsean's sub-regions that would help to bridge the development gaps within Asean. His Majesty was particularly encouraged by China's interest to assist in the BIMP-EAGA's work programme.

On the Asean-wide cooperation with China, His Majesty supported the idea of setting up an Asean-China Trade, Investment and Tourism Promotion Centre as well as Asean-China Youth Entrepreneurs Association which would bring together people from China and Asean in those important areas.

Later in the evening, His Majesty attended the dinner session between Asean leaders and the members of the Eminent Person's Group (EPG) on the Asean Charter.

Today, His Majesty will attend summit meetings with dialogue partners namely Japan, South Korea, India and the first Asean-Russia Summit.

On Sunday night, His Majesty attended the informal working dinner, hosted by the Malaysian premier, with other leaders from the region.

Accompanying His Majesty at the dinner was HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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