His Majesty Attends Asean+1 Summit

Bali, Indonesia - His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei, Wednesday morning attended the Asean +l Summit with China at the Bali International Convention Centre.

His Majesty was pleased with the progress of the Asean-China co-operation and thanked China for its support of the Asean integration process. His Majesty acknowledged that both Asean and China are very keen to find as many opportunities as possible to strengthen co-operation. His Majesty said that Asean was grateful for the joint efforts with China to handle the SARS crisis.

His Majesty also expressed appreciation to China for its cooperation on political and security matters, particularly in efforts to counter terrorism and the role it has undertaken in trying to solve the problem on the Korean Peninsula.

His Majesty said that Asean looks forward to implementing co-operative activities outlined in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, especially in confidence-building measures.

On economic matters, His Majesty was pleased with the progress of the negotiations for the Free Trade Area and looked forward to the implementation of the Early Harvest Package. His Majesty said he is keen to see Asean and China implement the package within the agreed timeframe.

His Majesty believed that this would send a positive message to potential investors and demonstrate Asean 's ability to move together and work closely with China in strengthening their economic cooperation for mutual benefit.

His Majesty also thanked China for its participation in the other sectors of Asean co-operation such as agriculture and energy. His Majesty acknowledged that such co-operation helps promote better understanding among the peoples of Asean and China, as well as getting new knowledge and skills.

His Majesty was also pleased with Asean-China cooperation in Information and Communications Technology and Non-traditional Security Issues. His Majesty welcomed China's suggestion to increase Asean-China total trade by 2005.

His Majesty was delighted with China's decision to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation (TAC) and being the first outside the region to do so. His Majesty said that this showed Asean and China commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

His Majesty also looked forward to the signing of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity. The initiatives, proposed by China, according to His Majesty show the importance China attaches to its relations with Asean and they will further strengthen Asean-China co-operation.

The Asean Summit with China was concluded with the signing ceremony of two documents, namely the Joint Declaration of the Heads of State/Governments of the People's Republic of China and the Asean Member Countries: Building a Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity; and the Accession of China to the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation in Southeast Asia.

His Majesty, together with other Asean Leaders and the Premier of the People's Republic of China signed the Joint Declaration of the Heads of State/Governments of the People's Republic of China and the Asean Member Countries: Building a Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity.

His Majesty and other Asean Leaders and the Premier of the People's Republic of China also witnessed the Accession of China to the TAC. Representing Brunei Darussalam at the signing of the Instrument of Extension was His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Later, His Majesty attended the Asean+1 Summit with Japan. His Majesty congratulated the Prime Minister of Japan for the success of the Asean-Japan Exchange Year. His Majesty said that the exchange programme helped to bring the people of Asean and Japan to get to know each other better and build understanding. His Majesty also expressed his appreciation to Japan for its support to implement the Initiative for Asean Integration (IAI).

His Majesty said that Japan is a very important trading partner for Asean and the successful co-operation with Japan is critical for Asean's economic development. In this regard, His Majesty was pleased that the Framework for Comprehensive Economic Partnership between Asean and Japan had been finalised.

His Majesty also said that it is good to see Japan taking on a leading role in energy co-operation in the region.

His Majesty expressed his great appreciation with Japan's approach to co-operation in every aspect of Asean-Japan partnership. In this regard, His Majesty believed that the forthcoming Asean-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo would present another opportunity for Asean and Japan to play a major role in assisting the development projects and capacity building in areas that would facilitate the flow of trade and reduce the cost of doing business in these sub-regions.

The highlight of the Asean-Japan Summit this year was the signing of the Framework for Comprehensive Economic Partnership between Asean and Japan. His Majesty together with Asean Leaders and the Prime Minister of Japan signed the agreement.

His Majesty also attended the Asean+l Summit with the Republic of Korea.

His Majesty said that the one of the benefits of this partnership was the chance to hear about the latest development on the Korean Peninsula, which is a concern to all in the region. His Majesty stated that the worrying situation is a threat to regional peace and stability.

His Majesty expressed his appreciation to the President of the Republic of Korea for attending the Summit in spite of the difficult situation in his country. His Majesty also thanked the President on his efforts to bring about a peaceful solution to the crisis.

His Majesty expressed his appreciation to Korea for its continued commitment to the Asean+3 process. His Majesty said that East Asia is very important to Asean, especially in the development aspects. In this regard, His Majesty placed great value to the Asean+3 process and urged Asean to strengthen relations with these countries.

His Majesty was pleased with the general progress of Asean-Republic of Korea co-operation. His Majesty was also happy that these wide ranges of activities directly involved the people of Asean and the Republic of Korea.

His Majesty was also pleased to see significant developments in trade, investment, tourism, development co-operation and human resources development programme, especially Korea's contribution to a number of important projects in the IAI Work Plan.

His Majesty believed that Asean and the Republic of Korea could broaden and further enhance the existing economic co-operation. In this regard, His Majesty welcomed and supported the suggestion of the Republic of Korea to set up a mechanism for the Economic Ministers to meet and begin consultations on the possibility of establishing an Asean-Korea FTA.

His Majesty believed that the ongoing efforts to strengthen economic linkages with China, Japan and India would lay the foundation for an eventual East Asia Free Trade Area, which is one of the long-term regional objectives of the region.

His Majesty, together with other Asean Leaders and the Prime Minister of the Republic of India also attended the Asean-India Working Lunch.

At the Asean-India Summit, His Majesty welcomed the continued commitment of India to the Asean-Indian co-operation. His Majesty expressed his satisfaction that the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Co-operation was ready to be signed.

His Majesty believed that the Agreement would bring new opportunities to expand the current economic co-operation covering trade, goods, services and investment. His Majesty also welcomed the establishment of the Asean-India Business Council.

His Majesty recognised that India had successfully developed its information and communications technology and urged that closer co-operation with India in this area be developed.

His Majesty stated that India also has a vital role to play in building peace and stability in the region. His Majesty commended India for acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation (TAC) in Southeast Asia.

His Majesty further stated that Asean is keen in strengthening efforts in counter-terrorism measures. His Majesty also hoped that other historical and cultural ties could be further strengthened such as in tourism, educational and social exchanges. His Majesty believed that there are tremendous potentials in the Asean-India co-operation to be developed for the benefit of the people of Asean and India.

The Asean Summit with India was concluded with the signing ceremony of two documents, namely the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Co-operation between Asean and the Republic of India, and the Accession of India to the TAC in Southeast Asia.

His Majesty, together with other Asean Leaders and the Prime Minister of the Republic of India signed the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Co-operation between Asean and the Republic of India.

His Majesty and other Asean Leaders and the Prime Minister of the Republic of India also witnessed the Accession of India to the TAC. Representing Brunei at the signing of the Letter of Extension was His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

His Majesty left Bali for Brunei Wednesday evening.

Present at Ngurah Rai Bali International Airport to bid farewell to His Majesty were Surnano, Minister of Resettlement and Infrastructure of the Republic of Indonesia, and other senior officials of the Indonesian Government.

Also present at the airport were Dato Hj Mohd Amin bin Pehin Dato Hj Abd Rahim, Ambassador of Brunei to Indonesia, and officers of the Embassy of Brunei in Jakarta.

Prior to departure, a "doa selamat" prayer was read by Pehin Dato Ustaz Hj Awg Abd Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah. Also in the delegation was Pehin Dato Awg Hj Abd Rahman Taib, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources.

The next Asean Summit will be held in Vientiane, Laos, in November 2004. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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