JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM AND
THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Bandar Seri Begawan
26 – 28 August 2016
1.
At the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam,
His Excellency Tran Dai Quang, President of the Socialist Republic of
Viet Nam made a State Visit to Brunei Darussalam on 26 - 28 August 2016.
This was the third State Visit to Brunei Darussalam by a Head of State
of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
2. During the visit, both Leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as on regional and international issues of common interest in a warm and cordial atmosphere.
3.
Both Leaders expressed pleasure on the good progress in strengthening
bilateral cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations on
29 February 1992; recognised the significance of the President's visit
in reaffirming the close friendship enjoyed between the two countries
and people; and reiterated the spirit of the Joint Statement in 2012.
4. Both Leaders looked forward to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2017 with activities to deepen mutual understanding and people-to-people linkages.
5.
His Majesty congratulated the Vietnamese people on their achievements
through the Socio-Economic Development Plans as envisioned in the "Doi Moi"
policy. His Majesty expressed confidence that under His Excellency's
leadership, Viet Nam will achieve its target to become an industrialised
country by 2020.
6. His
Excellency also commended the efforts undertaken by His Majesty's
Government in implementing various strategic plans towards achieving the
goals of "Wawasan Brunei 2035", which aims to make Brunei
Darussalam widely recognised for the achievements of its educated and
highly skilled people, high quality of life, and a dynamic and
sustainable economy.
7.
Both Leaders welcomed the increased interactions at all levels and
agreed to strengthen the existing bilateral consultative mechanisms. In
this regard, both Leaders agreed to the early convening of the Joint
Commission Meeting (JCM) to further deepen and expand cooperation
between both countries.
8.
Both Leaders acknowledged the common aspirations of pursuing economic
diversification and recognised the role of the private sectors in
enhancing competitiveness and encouraged continued mutual sharing of
best practices to identify potential areas of cooperation.
9.
Both Leaders underscored the importance in further enhancing bilateral
cooperation in trade and investment, particularly in energy, agriculture
and fisheries, education, labour, air services, people-to-people
exchanges and defence. Both sides also looked forward to explore
cooperation in the areas of transnational crimes, extradition and
transfer of sentenced persons.
10.
Both Leaders also reiterated their commitment to deepen economic
relations between Brunei Darussalam and Vietnam with the objective of
reaching a bilateral trade target of US$500 million by the year 2025 and
facilitate greater business and investment opportunities between the
two countries. Hence, both sides welcomed the signing of the MOU on Economic and Trade Cooperation
between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam
and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam in supporting efforts
to achieve the bilateral trade target. Both sides are confident that the
MOU would also further the objectives of the Trade Agreement
between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the
Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei
Darussalam, signed on 12 November 2001.
11.
Both Leaders noted the importance of promoting energy cooperation and
expressed satisfaction with the energy cooperation between Brunei
National Petroleum Company Sendirian Berhad (PetroleumBRUNEI) and
Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and welcomed the recent
completion of the Maharaja Lela South platform.
12. Both Leaders noted the progress made in implementing the MOU on Cooperation in Agriculture and Fisheries
signed in May 2013. His Majesty expressed appreciation for the
exchanges of expertise on rice production as well as other crops, and
agreed to consider extension of the exchanges. Both Leaders agreed to
enhance economic and development cooperation in fisheries sector, and
the importance of fostering exchanges and mutual understanding between
the two countries.
13. Both Leaders welcomed cooperation in labour and looked forward to negotiations on the MOU on Labour Cooperation.
14. Both Leaders recognised the important role of people-to-people exchanges and welcomed the signings of the MOU on Education Cooperation in April 2014 and the MOU between Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam and FPT University, Socialist Republic of Vietnam
in July 2013. Brunei Darussalam expressed appreciation for Viet Nam's
continued participation in the Brunei - US English Language Enrichment
Programme for ASEAN.
15.
Both Leaders highly appreciate connectivity between the two countries
and welcomed the resumption of direct flights between Bandar Seri
Begawan and Ho Chi Minh City in October 2014 especially in further
promoting closer ties between the peoples of Brunei Darussalam and Viet
Nam. Both sides also looked forward to the signing of the Agreement on
Maritime Transport.
16. Both Leaders welcomed the signing of the MOU on Cultural Cooperation
and expressed hope that this will positively contribute to deeper
understanding and appreciation of both countries' heritage and culture.
17. Both Leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress made in defence under the MOU between Royal Brunei Navy and Viet Nam People's Navy on Bilateral Cooperation
signed in December 2013. His Majesty expressed appreciation on Viet
Nam's continued support of Brunei International Tattoo, and Brunei
International Shooting Skill-at-Arms Meet (BISAM). On the regional
level, His Majesty expressed appreciation on Viet Nam's participation in
the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Maritime Security and
Counter-Terrorism Exercise on 2 - 12 May 2016 in Bandar Seri Begawan and
Singapore. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation between their
armed forces, particularly of the Navy and training for the respective
military personnel.
18. His
Excellency acknowledged Brunei Darussalam's role as an active player in
regional affairs and expressed appreciation for His Majesty's
long-standing leadership and valuable contributions to ASEAN.
19.
Both Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to upholding peace, stability,
and prosperity in the region, including advancing ASEAN community
building efforts through the full and effective implementation of the
ASEAN Community Vision 2025. To these ends, both sides emphasised the
importance of peaceful resolution of disputes in the region.
20.
Both Leaders agreed to implement fully and effectively the Declaration
of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and work closely
together towards the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct (COC). Both
sides also reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN's central role in the
regional security architecture.
21.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to continue enhancing
consultations on areas of common interest in other regional and
international fora such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC),
Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), United Nations (UN) and World Trade
Organization (WTO).
22.
Both Leaders welcomed the strengthening of economic ties in the region,
particularly through the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership
Agreement (TPP) on 4 February 2016 and looked forward to the
ratification of the TPP by all Parties.
23.
His Majesty expressed Brunei Darussalam's full support for Viet Nam's
Chairmanship of APEC in 2017 and wished the Government and people the
very best in their preparations.
24.
His Excellency expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and kind
hospitality accorded to him and his delegation and looked forward to
welcoming His Majesty and members of the Royal Family to visit Viet Nam
in the near future.