|
1. The 10th Annual Leaders’ Consultation
between the Honourable Dato’ Seri Abdullah
Haji Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of
Malaysia and His Majesty Sultan Haji
Hassanal Bolkiah Mui’zzaddin Waddaulah,
Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Negara Brunei
Darussalam was held in Kemaman, Terengganu,
Malaysia on 24th August 2006. +
2. The 10th Annual Leaders’ Consultation
between the two Leaders was held in a warm
and cordial atmosphere which reflected the
brotherly ties that bond Malaysia and Brunei
Darussalam. The two Leaders reemphasized the
warm and enduring friendship between
Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, and
reaffirmed the importance of the maintenance
of strong links between both countries.
3. The two Leaders reviewed the overall
state of bilateral relations and
acknowledged that there has been a
satisfactory development in relations. They
were happy to note the progress made in
various areas of cooperation, particularly
in trade and investment, science and
technology especially biotechnology,
aquaculture and agriculture, shipping and
related matters, finance and banking,
information and broadcasting, culture,
education, religious affairs, human capital
development, defence, security and tourism.
The two leaders agreed in principle on the
construction of bridges in especially
designated areas linking Brunei Darussalam
and Sarawak. These initiatives will be
undertaken by the private sector. This
arrangement is without prejudice to the
final outcome to the land border demarcation
between the two countries. The two Leaders
expressed their commitment to the further
strengthening of bilateral cooperation
through the expansion and deepening of
existing areas of cooperation for mutual
benefit.
4. The two Leaders took note of the
increasing level of trade and investments
between the two countries. In order to
further expand bilateral investment between
Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, the two
Leaders also encouraged businesses of the
two countries to increase joint investments
in Malaysia and Brunei as well as to
initiate discussions on joint investment in
third countries to further enhance economic
cooperation between Malaysia and Brunei
Darussalam.
5. Both leaders agreed to the setting up of
a Brunei – Malaysia Project Oriented
Consortium to oversee implementation of
specific collaborative projects between the
two sides.
6. The Leaders discussed the long-standing
issue of the maritime delimitation, which
they wish to resolve without further delay.
To that end they instructed their
negotiating teams to explore all means to
resolve the issue as soon as possible. Both
Leaders expressed confidence that the issue
will be resolved in an agreed, peaceful and
equitable manner.
7. The two Leaders agreed that it was
essential for interactions at all levels to
be further enhanced. The two Leaders spoke
positively of the contribution made by the
Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam Annual Civil
Service Senior Officials’ Exchange Programme.
Both Leaders also recognized the importance
for Second Echelon officials of the Civil
Service of both countries to meet and
interact more frequently through the
existing Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam Second
Echelon Civil Service Exchange Programme.
8. In order to further deepen the
interaction, the two leaders agreed to the
implementation of an Exchange Program at the
Ministerial Level to be known as the
Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam Annual
Ministerial Exchange Programme, as another
step towards bringing members of both
Governments closer together.
9. Both Leaders noted the recent increase of
flight frequencies between Malaysia and
Brunei Darussalam as a positive step which
could play an important role in promoting
understanding and friendship between peoples
of the two countries.
10. Both Leaders also discussed regional as
well as international issues of mutual
interest, encompassing the political,
economic and security areas. His Majesty
commended Malaysia’s leadership in a number
of regional and international processes in
particular its chairmanship of the ASEAN
Standing Committee, the 11th ASEAN Summit
and its related summits, the 1st East Asia
Summit, the Organisation of Islamic
Conference (OIC) and the Non Aligned
Movement (NAM). Both Leaders looked forward
to the 6th ASEM Summit on 10-11 September
2006 in Helsinki, Finland, the NAM Summit on
13-14 September in Cuba, the ASEAN-China
Commemorative Summit on 30-31 October 2006
and the 12th ASEAN Summit and its related
meetings on 10-14 December 2006 in Cebu, the
Philippines. As close neighbours, Malaysia
and Brunei Darussalam reaffirmed the need
for closer coordination and consultation in
various regional and international fora, in
particular ASEAN, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF),
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC),
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the United
Nations(UN).
11. The two Leaders welcomed the ASEAN
Framework Agreement on Visa Exemption that
was signed in Kuala Lumpur on 25 July 2006
and agreed that this Framework Agreement
would serve to facilitate greater travel
within ASEAN for ASEAN nationals.
12. Both Leaders share a deep concern over
the crisis in the Middle East, particularly
in Lebanon and Gaza. They expressed full
support and solidarity with the Government
and people of Lebanon in facing the
challenges following the recent Israeli
aggression against Lebanon. They also urged
the international community to support
Lebanon at all levels and called on the UN
to take necessary actions to ensure a
lasting ceasefire and to initiate steps to
maintain peace and security in Lebanon
without any delay in accordance with
Resolution 1701(2006), adopted by the UN
Security Council on 11 August 2006.
13. Both Leaders agreed to hold the 11th
Annual Leaders’ Consultation in Bandar Seri
Begawan, Brunei Darussalam in 2007. |
