Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah yesterday joined Asean Foreign Ministers at the Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC) with Australia and the European Union (EU) at the Philippine International Convention Centre in Manila.
The Asean foreign ministers discussed ways to enhance cooperation.
At the post ministerial conference with Australia, His Royal Highness commended the progress being made in the trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand, which Brunei Darussalam is chairing.
At the post ministerial conference with the EU, His Royal Highness expressed support for the work being done on the Asean-EU Free Trade Area and looked forward to successful negotiations.
His Royal Highness then joined the Foreign Ministers of Asean and Dialogue Partners at the PMC Foreign Ministers Working Lunch and exchanged views on outstanding regional and international matters.
Later, in the afternoon, His Royal Highness and Asean Foreign Ministers attended a signing ceremony with Australia on the Joint Declaration of Asean-Australia Comprehensive Partnership.
This was followed by the signing ceremonies for the Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia by the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
His Royal Highness signed on behalf of Brunei Darussalam.
In the evening, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah joined other Foreign Ministers of Asean, Dialogue Partners and the Asean Regional Forum for a gala dinner hosted by Alberto G Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines.
The dinner was held at the Philippines International Convention Centre in Manila.
- Borneo Bulletin
(2nd August 2007)
