His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam next proceeded to the Government Palace for a Bilateral Meeting with His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.

During the meeting, His Majesty in a titah shared that His Excellency is an old friend of Brunei Darussalam, having worked together on several occasions in his previous capacities in Government. His Majesty also expressed happiness to have welcomed the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on his first visit to Brunei Darussalam in 2000 as the President of the National Council of Timorese Resistance.

Over the years, cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste has progressed. Thus, His Majesty looks forward to strengthening the goodwill and friendship between the two countries and people. Furthermore, both countries have enjoyed warm and friendly cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2002.

His Majesty in the titah says that both countries have worked closely in education and people-to-people exchanges over the past two decades, and in 2023, both sides further enhanced education cooperation through the Brunei Government Scholarships for two Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste students to pursue their studies in Brunei Darussalam. His Majesty further expressed pleasure that a private sector from Brunei Darussalam will also offer scholarships to two Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste students to further their studies in Brunei Darussalam this year.

On energy, His Majesty welcomed the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste's interest in developing these ties and noted that TIMOR GAP had productive discussions during their visit to Brunei Darussalam early this year. In addition, the mutual commitment from both sides under the MOU on the Employment/Recruitment of Timor-Leste Workers to Brunei Darussalam will open new opportunities for the people of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and in this regard, His Majesty looks forward to welcoming the people of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to Brunei Darussalam. His Majesty also expressed happiness with the mutual commitment to the Visa Waiver Arrangement during this visit, which will make it easier for officials to travel and strengthen cooperation between both countries.

Brunei Darussalam also values the Democratic Republic of Timor- Leste's continued support for Palestine in all relevant United Nation, UN Resolutions, including the recent UN membership vote. However, Brunei remains concerned with the Occupying Power's military operation in Rafah, including seizing control of the Rafah border crossing. Thus, His Majesty urged all parties to cease all forms of violence and to exercise utmost restraint immediately, and called on the international community to work together to achieve a permanent ceasefire and urgent, unhindered entry of humanitarian aid.

In this regard, His Majesty reaffirmed Brunei Darussalam's full support for the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and the two-state solution, towards an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital.

During the meeting, both Leaders had fruitful exchanges on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern. The Leaders also, among others, agreed to explore cooperation in the areas of higher education and science, health, petroleum and mineral resources as well as economic and investment. His Majesty along with His Excellency then witnessed the Exchange of the Agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Official or Service Passports between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.

Signing on behalf of His Majesty's Government was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman, Minister of Home Affairs, while the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste was represented by His Excellency Dr. Bendito dos Santos Freitas, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

Source:
RTB NEWS

by RTB NEWS

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