His Majesty Hails Aussie’s Role In Brunei’s Development

Canberra – His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei, yesterday expressed appreciation for the long standing friendship and the important role Australians have played in Brunei's development.

In outlining the relationship between Brunei and Australia, His Majesty in his titah acknowledged highly Australia's contribution to the Sultanate in various areas of cooperation.

These are some of the points highlighted by His Majesty in reply to the Prime Minister during the luncheon hosted by the Prime Minister of Australia Tuesday afternoon.

His Majesty began his State Visit with a meeting between His Majesty and Mr John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia, at the Prime Minister's Suite in Parliament House in Canberra.

The Sultan of Brunei and the Australian Prime Minister exchanged views on a broad range of bilateral and regional affairs.

Both leaders also discussed ways to enhance the relationship between the two countries.

At the Parliament House, His Majesty also met the Honourable Kim Beazley, the Leader of the Opposition, who is a former Defence Minister of Australia.

His Majesty attended the luncheon at the Parliament House hosted by the Prime Minister in honour of His Majesty's state visit to Australia.

Also present were Honourable Senator Paul Calvert, President of the Senate; Honourable David Hawker, Speaker of the House of Representatives; and, Honourable Kim Beazley, Leader of the Opposition.

Mr John Howard, in welcoming His Majesty, spoke about the shared vision between Brunei and Australia.

He also spoke highly of His Majesty's leadership in the region that has witnessed many challenges and successes.

He also recalled their recent visit to Aceh that was hit by the Tsunami.

Kim Beazley in supporting the remark of the Prime Minister recalled his visit to Brunei when he was Defence Minister and expressed his warm welcome to His Majesty.

His Majesty in his titah touched on the close cooperation between the two nations.

Brunei’s major export to Australia is crude petroleum.

Export of the product during the 2003 and 2004 period was amounted to almost AUS$500 million.

In the same period, Brunei imported live stocks worth AUS$11 million. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

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