18 June 2007 - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and His Excellency Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister, at the signing ceremony of The Brunei-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement in Tokyo.

JOINT STATEMENT ON THE OCCASION OF THE SIGNING OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM AND JAPAN FOR AN ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP 

1.     We, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, and the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, held a meeting in Tokyo on 18 June, 2007.

2.     We discussed how to work closely together to further enhance the stability, security and prosperity of our two countries. We shared the view that the Agreement between Brunei Darussalam and Japan for an Economic Partnership (hereinafter referred to as “the BJEPA”) would be one of the main driving forces in the realisation of this goal.

3.     We recognise the excellent relationship between our two countries, which has been built upon our strong economic ties, particularly in the area of oil and natural gas even before the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1984. Today, Japan is a leading export destination and an important investor for Brunei Darussalam, while Brunei Darussalam is an important supplier of oil and natural gas for Japan. We are convinced that there are still a lot of opportunities and potential to strengthen our bilateral relationship and renewed our commitment to enhance our ties.

4.     In this regard, we are convinced that the BJEPA will serve as a main vehicle by facilitating the free flow of goods, services and investments, improving the overall business environment for the private sectors between the two countries and at the same time deepening and enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, trade and investment promotion, small and medium enterprises, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, tourism, education and human resource development, information and communications technology, science and technology, environment, intellectual property and land transportation including through capacity building. Reflecting the importance of further cooperation between the two countries, a list of programmes and projects on cooperation is attached to this Statement.

5.     As responsible members of the global community, we recognise the international concerns on climate change and the importance of ensuring sustainable economic development balanced with environmental conservation, so that our future generations will continue to appreciate and value the clean environment we enjoy today. In this context, Brunei Darussalam welcomes the proposal “Cool Earth 50”, recently put forward by Japan as a strategy to address climate change. We shared the hope that the Bio-Diversity Centre in Kuala Belalong would be developed and utilised for research cooperation in the fields of biodiversity and conservation of the environment, making use of Japanese experiences and expertise in cooperation with academia, experts and the private sector.

6.     We are convinced that the BJEPA will contribute to strengthening the regional economic integration. As close partners in the region, we remain committed to further strengthening the partnership between ASEAN and Japan, particularly in establishing the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP). Brunei and Japan will work together to advance  the integration of the East Asia region through the Track Two study on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA) and through the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).

7.     It gives us great pleasure to witness today the outcome of our joint efforts. The signing of the BJEPA will bring our relationship to a new and higher level of partnership which will accelerate greater economic development and promote the well-being of the peoples of both countries. We are also of the view that the BJEPA will encourage greater participation and interaction by our private sectors and enhance contacts between our people.

Tokyo, 18 June, 2007