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Sultan Grants Audience To Visiting Lao Prime Minister

Bandar Seri Begawan – His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha received in audience Bounnhang Vorachith, the Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Mrs Khammmeung Vorachith, currently in the country on an official visit, at Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.

On arrival at Istana Nurul Iman, the Lao Prime Minister and wife were welcomed by His Majesty the Sultan and Her Majesty the Raja Isteri.

Present at the audience were His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Salleh Ab Rahaman, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Saadatul Bolkiah.

Brunei and Laos established diplomatic relations in July 1993.

The relation was further upgraded by the setting up of Brunei High Commission in the Laotian capital, Vientiane, in February 1997.

Laos, in turn, opened its diplomatic mission in Bandar Seri Begawan two months later.

The Lao President visited Brunei in 1998 as part of an introductory tour of ASEAN countries following his country's admission as a new member of the regional grouping.

His Majesty and Lao Premier later held a four-eye meeting.

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Brunei and Laos are situated in the same region and also share similar aspects in some of their history and cultures.

Since the formation of diplomatic relations between the two Asean neighbours, bilateral cooperation between them has also been enhanced.

His Majesty reaffirmed the strong ties between Brunei and Laos in a titah during His Majesty's visit to Laos.

The Sultan also assured Laos of Brunei's continued assistance.

Soon after the audience ceremony, the Lao Prime Minister and his wife visited the Jame Asr’ Hassanil Bolkiah in Kampong Kiarong.

On arrival at the Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, the Lao Prime Minister and his wife were welcomed by Pehin Dato Ustaz Awang Haji Yahya, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs.

During the visit, the Lao Prime Minister and his wife were given a briefing on the establishment of the mosque.

The Lao Prime Minister and delegation then tour several parts of the mosque including the library and the halls where the female and male perform prayers.

The Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah is the largest and the most magnificent mosque in the Sultanate.

The mosque is an endowment of His Majesty the Sultan.

The Lao Prime Minister is accompanied by a 16 member delegation, including Phongsavath Boupha, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dr Phankham Viphavanh, Head of Prime Minister's Office.

Upon arrival at the Brunei International Airport, Bounnhang Vorachith and wife were greeted by His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah.

The Lao Prime Minister and wife, accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah proceeded to the special dais to receive tie Royal Salute as the national anthems of Brunei and Laos were played.

The Lao Prime Minister later inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by personnel of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Brunei Land Forces.

The Lao Prime Minister and wife were then introduced to Cabinet Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Heads of Foreign Missions in Brunei, Permanent Secretaries of the Prime Ministers Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as senior government officials.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah were also introduced to members of the visiting delegation. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

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