Boost For Brunei-French Ties

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is conducting a working visit to France to strengthen bilateral ties.

During a recorded interview with state-broadcaster Radio Televisyen Brunei (RTB) telecast yesterday, French Ambassador to Brunei Patrick Bonneville said that His Majesty will be meeting French President Nicolas Sarkozy for the first time to discuss areas of cooperation between the two nations.

"This is the first time that His Majesty and our president will be meeting, so it is an important event, an important cornerstone in our relations," he said.

"Trade between the two countries has been developing very fast," he stated. Bonneville said there were Brunei imports about $30 million worth of French products and exports about $7 million worth to France.

He said that with rising prices of oil, French companies such as Total E&P Borneo BV would be increasing their investments since it was more "attractive" for them to produce oil and gas.

"We also have excellent political relations (between France and Brunei)," Bonneville added.

He said that His Majesty frequently travelled to France. His Majesty's last state visit to France was in 1994.

Bonneville commented that His Majesty was the people's ruler. He said that His Majesty had succeeded in balancing the demands of modernisation and globalisation.

"France is quite ready to cooperate with His Majesty's government to help and diversify the Bruneian economy," he said.

France would be able to assist the Sultanate in promoting new energy sources, including solar energy and hydro-electric power, and other forms of renewable energy sources, he said.

He added that the two countries could cooperate in developing the field of information technology as another means of achieving economic diversification.

Bonneville hoped that more French people would be interested in visiting the Sultanate, and encouraged more Bruneian tourists to visit France.

The French ambassador also mentioned that the two countries have excellent defence relations and hoped to strengthen future tics.

The French are willing to aid in the modernisation of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, according to the French ambassador, adding that France would be participating in Bridex 2009.

"So (therefore), this (ongoing cooperation) presents quite a scope for cooperation in the future." (ODM1) -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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