The 11th Annual Leaders’ Consultation was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, on 13 August 2007 between His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia.
 

During the Consultation, the two Leaders expressed satisfaction with the warm and longstanding friendship between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia, and underlined the importance of continuing to enhance the close ties that exist between both countries.
 

The two Leaders reviewed the overall state of bilateral relations and noted with satisfaction the progress of cooperation in particular in trade and investment, finance, transportation, information and communication technology, defence, health, education and tourism. In this regard, both Leaders reaffirmed the commitment to further expand and deepen the bilateral relations based on mutual benefit and respect.
 

Both Leaders highlighted the importance for both countries to continue to work together to seek ways and means to expand further growth in bilateral trade and investment. In this regard, the Leaders tasked their senior officials to explore ways and means to expand cooperation including in areas such as trade facilitation, the halal products industry, Islamic Banking and tourism. The two Leaders further encouraged the private sectors of both countries to take the opportunity of the closeness of the two countries to further explore the possibilities of joint ventures in third countries.
 

The two Leaders highlighted the need for both countries to continue working together in facilitating and creating a more conducive business environment, especially for the business communities of Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak.
 

The Leaders recognized the importance of continuing cooperation in the air services sector and agreed that an increase in flight frequencies and operations between the two countries could further promote tourism and help foster closer friendship and understanding between the two peoples. In this regard, the Leaders took note of the ongoing negotiations between the two countries to further explore cooperation in this sector.
 

The Leaders discussed the long standing issue of maritime delimitation, on which both sides had put forward new proposals, and agreed on the need to resolve the matter urgently. To this end, the Leaders instructed the negotiating team to work out the details.
 

The two Leaders noted the signing of the Heart of Borneo Declaration which they had endorsed during the ASEAN Summit in Cebu City, Philippines, on 12 January 2007 and reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate in trans-boundary management of forest resources and conservation of a network of protected areas, productive forests and other sustainable land uses.
 

The two Leaders look forward to the forthcoming BIMP-EAGA Summit in November 2007 in Singapore.
 

The Leaders expressed support for Singapore’s preparations of the 13th ASEAN Summit especially its theme of “Energy, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development” for discussions at their meeting.
 

The Leaders particularly looked forward to receiving the final draft ASEAN Charter in Singapore and its endorsement by ASEAN Heads of State/Government.
 

Both Leaders were of the view that the Charter will strengthen ASEAN by making it more effective and responsive; making ASEAN a more rules-based organization; ensuring a more people-oriented organization and creating a culture of honouring obligations and being held accountable for non-compliance.
 

The two Leaders exchanged views on regional and international matters of mutual concern. With regard to the ongoing crisis in Darfur, Sudan, both Leaders welcomed efforts by the international community to help resolve the conflict and welcomed the decision of the United Nations to form a Hybrid United Nations-African Union (UNAMID) peacekeeping force for Darfur. The Government of Malaysia, if invited, will consider at an appropriate time its participation in UNAMID.
 

The two Leaders continued to encourage international efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East, in particular the people of Palestine. The two Leaders also urged the international community to continue to find ways to assist the people of Iraq in determining their own future. Both Leaders agreed that this goal could only be achieved through a comprehensive political settlement and with the participation of all major ethnic and religious groups in the country.
 

Both Leaders expressed support for the on-going efforts by the OIC in identifying the challenges and needs of the Muslim Ummah. Both Leaders expressed hope that the review of the OIC Charter will help make the OIC more responsive and relevant to the needs and challenges facing the Muslim Ummah in the 21st Century.
 

His Majesty presented both his personal congratulations to Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and those of the Government and People of Brunei Darussalam to all Malaysians on the 50th Anniversary of their Independence.
 

His Majesty paid tribute to half a century of outstanding achievements by the Malaysian people in building their nation. These, His Majesty added, had not only brought economic progress and rapid social developments at home but had enabled Malaysia to become a highly respected leader among developing countries throughout the world.
 

In reaffirming the close ties of friendship and goodwill that linked the peoples of Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia, His Majesty offered his warmest felicitations and best wishes to the government and people of Malaysia for their future success and prosperity.
 

The Leaders agreed to hold the 12th Annual Leaders’ Consultation in Malaysia in 2008.


BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
14 AUGUST 2007