His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is to visit the resort island of Bali to attend a Bali Democratic Forum event from December 10-12, 2009, Indonesia's Antara news agency reported.

According to a written statement from the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry on Tuesday, the Sultan would visit Bali to attend a forum meeting to promote democracy in Asia.

The statement said Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa, who was granted an audience by His Majesty in Brunei on Monday, extended President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's warm regards to the Sultan and presented an official invitation to His Majesty to attend the Bali Democratic Forum.

The statement quoted His Majesty as saying that Brunei and Indonesia should make maximum efforts to maintain and strengthen their relations in the future while appreciating the presence of Indonesian migrant workers and their contribution to the development in Brunei Darussalam.

The Indonesian foreign minister was also received by HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Brunei's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and hosted to a luncheon. - Borneo Bulletin (25th November 2009)