His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar arrived at the Vnukovo-2 Airport, Moscow to begin a six-day official visit to the Russian Federation.

Accompanying Their Majesties and Her Royal Highness are His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office; Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pg Anak Isteri Pg Anak Sarah; His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul 'Azim; His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Wakeel; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Muta-Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bulqiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Muntaqim; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam; and YAM Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib Pengiran Anak Haji Idris bin Pengiran Maharaja Lela Pengiran Muda Abdul Kahar.

Their Majesties and Her Royal Highness were greeted on arrival at the airport by Alexey N Borodavkin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other senior officials of the Russian Federation.

Also present at the airport were Victor Seleznez, Russian Ambassador-designate to Brunei Darussalam; Dr Emran Bahar, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Russian Federation and spouse; Ambassadors of Asean countries in Moscow; and officers of the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Moscow.

This is the second official visit by His Majesty to the Russian Federation.

Brunei Darussalam and the Russian Federation established diplomatic relations in 1991. Both countries have bilateral cooperation covering areas such as trade and investment, defence and education.

His Majesty's official visit, which is at the invitation of President Dmitry Medvedev, serves to enhance further relations between Brunei Darussalam and the Russian Federation.

During the visit, His Majesty will meet several Russian dignitaries and attend a luncheon hosted by President Dmitry Medvedev.

His Majesty will also visit the Special Centre for Training and Preparing Special Troops and Chkalovskiy. - Borneo Bulletin (12th October 2009)