German Ambassador Praises Brunei Ties
By Sonia K.

Bandar Seri Begawan - "Germany shares much in common with Brunei such as the preference for peaceful solutions to conflicts, the option for regional cooperation and integration, the strengthening and reform of the UN mechanism for peaceful resolutions, shouldering international responsibility for those in need," said the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Brunei Darussalam, Mr Conrad Cappell, during the 1-6" anniversary of the Day of German Unity 2006 reception held last night at the Empire Hotel and Country Club.

"We are impressed by Brunei's keeping its customs and tradition, defending its own position with self-assured modesty, by its initiative and plans to diversify its economy, by its desire to attract foreign direct investment as well as the far-reaching discussions in the re-established Legislative Council.

I would like to take this occasion to thank the Bruneian Government for the consistent support of electing German candidates in international organisations," Mr Cappell added.

Present as the guests of honour at the event were the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II, Pehin Lim Jock Seng and Datin Tan Bee Yong.

"The Day of German Unity reminds us how people in the former Communist East Germany fought the dictatorship using peaceful means to win their freedom. One and a half decades have since passed, and we have achieved much thanks to the drive and solidarity of German in the east and west.

"New roads, railway lines and modern telecommunications set-up in East of Germany are stateof-the-art and world-class. Internationally acclaimed centres for science and technology have sprung up. Considerable success has been seen with building up the economy," the German Ambassador mentioned.

"Bilaterally, the year 2006 was highlighted by the first visit of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to Germany during the World Cup. The talks he had with members of the German Government underlined' the excellent bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and Germany. Here in Brunei, Bruneians had the chance to taste German delicacies for two weeks during the-first German Food and Spa festival in the Empire Hotel and Country Club," he highlighted.

Next year, 2007 holds very special international challenges for Germany, challenges which bring great responsibility but also present substantial scope for creativity. "During our presidency of the so-called G8, the club of the most advanced industrialised countries, we will focus above all on the further development of the global economy and on the fight against the causes of terrorism and poverty, and we will keep Africa on the international agenda," said Mr Cappell.

"Germany produces the highest number of patents in Europe and we will most likely continue to be world champion in exports also for the year 2006. 1 proposed to the Bruneian Government to share our ideas especially in the use of efficient and economical use of energy and in the introduction of renewable energies because we all know fossil energies are just too precious and limited to be used ill-considered," the ambassador stressed.

The reception started with the national anthems of Brunei Darussalam and Germany. A cake cutting ceremony was also held. The ballroom last night had displays of well-known German companies such as Lufthansa, Daimler Chrysler, Volkswagen and Cosmetic Biodroga/Spaline Futuresse, which, is now available at the Country Club. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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