Bandar Seri Begawan - On the eve of the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting Retreat (ADMM Retreat) in Siem Reap, Cambodia today, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energyat the Prime Minister's Office, representing Brunei Darussalam to the Retreat, held bilateral meetings with ADMM leaders of Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Union of Myanmar, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Singapore and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the Sokha Angkor Resort.

During the bilateral meetings, Pehin Yasmin expressed his pleasure on the good defence relations that exist between Brunei and the Asean member countries. Among the significant matters, the bilateral meetings agreed to further strengthen defence cooperation through more interactions and dialogues, as well as training and other collaborative efforts. 'Towards that end, Brunei reiterated its offer to the respective countries' military officers to participate in a number of courses conducted by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam.

During the bilateral talks, the ADMM leaders of the respective countries expressed their full support for Brunei Darussalam's Chairmanship of the ADMM and the ADMM-Plus Meetings in 2013, including the ADMM-Plus Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and Military Medicine Exercise (ADMM-Plus HADR and MM Ex), which will be held in Brunei Darussalam in June 2013. They also pledged their support for the Asean Military Meetings to be hosted by Brunei Darussalam next year.

On a specific note, Brunei congratulated Myanmar's newly appointed Defence Minister, Lieutenant General Wai Lwin, for assuming the post recently. Lieutenant General Wai Lwin in return enlightened Brunei's delegates on the transformation going on in Myanmar.

Brunei offered openings to the personnel of Myanmar Armed Forces to attend various courses run by the Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

Brunei congratulated Malaysia for its role in the signing of the framework agreement of peace deal between the Government of the Philippines (GOP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Brunei also expressed strong support for Malaysia's initiatives on defence industry in the ADMM.

Brunei expressed strong support for the continuing peace process agreement in the southern Philippines.

Both Brunei and Singapore expressed hopes to renew the existing military exercises between their armed forces and looked forward for the convening of the 3rd Policy Dialogue in 2014 in Brunei Darussalam.

Vietnam offered to share with Brunei their experience in hosting the ADMM-Plus.

Also attending the bilateral meetings were Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Azmansham bin Pengiran Haji Mohammad, Permanent Secretary (Defence Policy and. Development) at the Ministry of Defence; First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, Joint Force Commander; Awang Haji Azhar bin Haji Ahmad, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Technology) at the Ministry of Defence, and Colonel (L) Awang Abd Rahman bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, Director of Intelligence.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin