Strengthening Brunei, Cambodia Ties
By Said Ya'akub

Bandar Seri Begawan - The visit of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, to Brunei Darussalam on the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam symbolises the close ties shared between the leaders and their respective countries.

It is also an important event within the Asean cooperation framework. This sentiment was duly expressed by both leaders in a state Banquet at the Istana Nurul Iman in the sultanate's capital last night.

His Majesty the Sultan expressed the hope that the visit would offer the opportunity to share Brunei's own experience as a nation, after His Majesty himself had the opportunity to see Cambodia last year. "We hope we can also share the experiences that so happily link us today as friends and partners in modern Southeast Asia."

"This (being fellow members of Asean) is the primary task of ensuring that our people can meet the challenges of today's world with a confidence and hope that is based on their own knowledge, practical skills and talent.

Providing the opportunities for them to do this lies at the heart of all our programmes of cooperation... we are delighted to be sharing them with our friends and colleagues in the Kingdom of Cambodia," said His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah during his address at the state banquet.

His Majesty the Sultan went on further to say that there were other aspects shared between the two countries and expressed pleasure in having the opportunity to express and reaffirm them. "They are less, tangible than formal programmes of cooperation, but in some ways, they are even more important," said Brunei's monarch.

"They reflect the spirit of our modern region. The friendship we share, the desire we have to work together to help one another.

The wish to learn more about each other and to under stand each other well and perhaps above all else, the quality that underpins all others in a modern region... Respect for each other," said His Majesty.

His Majesty the Sultan went on to say that it was the mutual respect for the rich diversity of background, faiths, cultures and historical experience, in particular the respect of the individual strengths, talents and abilities of the two countries which exist in abundance between Cambodia and Brunei Darussalam:

Meanwhile King Norodom Sihamoni expressed his appreciation to Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah for stating that the State Visit to Brunei Darussalam was a contribution towards the strengthening of Brunei-Cambodian friendship and fraternity.

"The continuous exchanges of visits between the leaders of Cambodia and Brunei Darussalam has strengthened the bonds of friendship and solidarity existing between our two countries in order to speed up bilateral cooperation in all fields for the joint benefit of our two peoples," said the Cambodian King.

"Moreover, the cooperation between our two countries also contributes to strengthening the stability and development in our region in the framework of Asean, said the King of Cambodia.

King Norodom Sihamoni also cited the support of Brunei Darussalam in accomplishing the restoration and rebuilding of Cambodia in all fields of economic and social development. Cambodia and Brunei Darussalam enjoy cordial ties, with His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei making a state visit to his Asean neighbour last year, a visit which left a lasting impression on both King and country.

"The state visit in early April 2007 was a great honour and a friendly gesture of profound significance which the people of Cambodia shall never forget," he said.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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