His Majesty followed by Singaporean President S.R Nathan
inspects guard of honour at a welcoming ceremony in Singapore.
AFP
His Majesty and Her Majesty with Deputy Prime Minister of
Singapore Lee Hsien Loong and Rear Admiral Teo Chee Hean at the
Changi Airport soon after Their Majesties arrival. Photo:
Information Department
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang
Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam said it was time to be strong,
positive and optimistic as the region was going through an
extremely demanding period, especially in terms of regional
security.
But such concerns are not new
to Southeast Asia. We have dealt with them in the past and we
will continue to do so, said His Majesty at a State Banquet
hosted by the President of Singapore S R Nathan and Mrs S R
Nathan yesterday at the Banquet Hall of the Istana in Singapore.
His Majesty and Her Majesty
Raja Isteri Pg Anak Hajah Saleha started their three-day state
visit to Singapore yesterday.
Issues concerning regional
security are a matter of resolute action, shared expertise and
common determination, said His Majesty and added, like
Singapore, Brunei Darussalam has that determination.
"No criminal groups
whether trafficking in narcotics, finance, human beings or
religious extremism will be permitted to damage our people's
lives nor cloud their dreams of a happy and prosperous
future," said His Majesty.
His Majesty stated that the
visit offered His Majesty a chance to state publicly the
admiration for Singapore's achievements for His Majesty recalled
the time when both countries were trying to rebuild their
respective lives and themselves into modern nations.
His Majesty commended the
tremendous change that Singapore had undergone since His
Majesty's boyhood time of which His Majesty said that the
President were in many ways a symbol of this great achievement.
Singapore, His Majesty further
stated, did not only concentrate upon their own development but
also made a tremendous contribution to the whole of Southeast
Asia. Brunei in this regard was thankful for the goodwill,
friendship and cooperation that Singapore had offered. His
Majesty said that Brunei had benefited greatly from their
experience and expertise.
His Majesty also highlighted
the traditional strong and cooperative partnership between the
two countries not just bilaterally, but also within a host of
regional and international bodies. His Majesty spoke of the very
close association at a personal level which His Majesty said is
key to the strengthening of the scope of bilateral relations.
His Majesty also spoke of
Asean's vision of a new dynamic Southeast Asia living in peace
and stability. His Majesty recalled the Asean Leader's Summit
hosted by Brunei Darussalam in 2001 where leaders called for
immediate action to implement the many programmes and projects
that had been set up.
His Majesty concluded by
stating that Brunei would continue to work together with
Singapore in all aspects of regional and international
cooperation.
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