His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to send congratulatory messages to the ruler of Jordan, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussien, and Mr Nader Dahabi, the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Jordan, on the occasion on the country's Independence Day anniversary.

In the message, His Majesty said that Brunei and Jordan share very warm and close relations.

The recent State Visit of His Majesty King Abdullah II and Her Majesty Queen Rania to the Sultanate has strengthened the bond between the two countries and people, said the Brunei monarch.

His Majesty also expressed his confidence that these ties would continue to flourish in the future.

The ruler of Brunei prays that the King of Jordan and Mr Dahabi would always remain in good health and happiness, and for the people of Jordan to always enjoy continued progress and prosperity.

Meanwhile, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Brunei's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, sent a similar congratulatory message to Mr Salah Bashir, Jordan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the kingdom's independence day anniversary.

In the message, HRH expressed his appreciation with the King of Jordan's recent State Visit to Brunei. - Borneo Bulletin (25th May 2008)