1. The 9th Annual Leaders’ Consultation was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam on 29th August 2005, between His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia.
    

2. During the Consultation, the two Leaders emphasized the warm and enduring friendship between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia, and recognised the importance of maintaining strong links between both countries.
    

3. The two Leaders reviewed bilateral relations and noted with satisfaction the excellent progress of cooperation, namely in trade and investment, defence, police, health, education, finance, information and broadcasting.
    

4. The two Leaders also noted the progress achieved in the long drawn negotiation between the two countries in resolving the issues of maritime delimitation. They instructed the senior officials of both sides to explore all means to resolve the issues as soon as possible.
    

5. As close friends and neighbours, the two Leaders expressed the importance for Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia to step up efforts in fostering closer economic ties. In this regard, both Leaders tasked officials to explore ways of promoting cooperation in areas such as Hydrocarbon, Tourism, Islamic banking and Halal Food Production on both sides. They agreed to set up a high level mechanism under the purview of the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs to undertake collaboration in these areas. This mechanism will complement the work of the Brunei Darussalam-Malaysia Joint Commission.
    

6. The two Leaders welcomed the conclusion of the negotiations on the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation (DTA) and looked forward to its signing at a later date. The conclusion of the DTA will pave the way for the strengthening of future bilateral trade and investment and enhance the two way flow of technology, talent and expertise.
    

7. The two Leaders further encouraged greater consultations between their respective government agencies and private sectors with the view to broaden the scope of bilateral ties.
    

8. Both Leaders discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest, encompassing political, economic and security areas. They also reaffirmed the value of closer coordination and consultation between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia in various regional and international fora, in particular ASEAN, BIMP-EAGA, UN, OIC, NAM and ARF.
    

9. Both Leaders attached great importance to the 11th ASEAN Summit and the inaugural East Asian Summit to be held in Kuala Lumpur later this year. They also reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN to continue playing the primary role in promoting East Asian cooperation. His Majesty commended the excellent work currently undertaken by Malaysia in preparing for the Summits later this year, including the BIMP-EAGA Summit and looked forward to attending these meetings.
    

10. The Consultation between the two Leaders was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere befitting the close and brotherly ties that exist between the two countries.
     

11. Both Leaders agreed to hold the 10th Annual Leaders’ Consultation in Kuala Lumpur in 2006.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
29 AUGUST 2005