Brunei — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam agreed to activate the general agreement signed between the two countries in the fields of economy, investment, education, culture, youth and sports.
A joint statement issued on Saturday at the end of the King’s visit to Bandar Seri Begawan said the two leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the political, military and security fields.
They expressed hope that the meeting of the Saudi-Bruneian Joint Committee, to be held this year, serves the two countries and promotes cooperation between the two countries’ private sectors.
The two leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the latest developments in the Middle East. They stressed the importance of reaching a lasting, comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian cause in accordance with the contents of the Arab Peace Initiative and the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy.
The two leaders also stressed the importance of finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis based on Geneva 1 and the UN Security Council Resolution (2254) in addition to the importance of providing humanitarian and relief assistance to the displaced Syrians.
The two leaders stressed the importance of preserving the unity in Yemen and achieving its security and stability.
They also confirmed the importance of a political solution to the crisis in Yemen based on the GCC initiative, outcome of the National Dialogue Conference and the UN Security Council Resolution (2216), emphasizing their support for the legitimate authority in Yemen as well as access to humanitarian aid in all Yemeni regions.
The two leaders agreed to coordinate their stances in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to serve the interests of the two brotherly countries and peoples as well as the interests of the Islamic nation.
They also emphasized the need to reject extremism and combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah praised the efforts of the Kingdom to serve the Two Holy Mosques, Haj and Umrah pilgrims and visitors.
The Sultan of Brunei decorated King Salman with the highest Brunei honor, the Royal Family Order of the Crown of Brunei.
The King expressed his thanks to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah for the warm reception and generous hospitality accorded to him and the accompanying delegation.
King Salman left Brunei after his brief visit. At Brunei International Airport, the King was seen off by Sultan Bolkiah and a number of officials.
King’s visit to Brunei an important historical event
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman’s visit to Brunei Darussalam will enhance the relations between the two countries, Saudi Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Hisham Bin Abdulwahab Zaraah said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Saturday.
He said the visit was an important historical event as it wass the first visit by a Saudi king since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992 when the Kingdom appointed a non-resident representative through the Saudi Embassy in the Philippines.
In 1995, Saudi Embassy was opened at the level of chargé d’Affaires. In 2001, the first Saudi ambassador was appointed.
In 2001, a draft joint agreement between the two countries was signed for cooperation in the economic fields in addition to the promotion of tourism and joint investments, such as industry, petroleum, metals, petrochemicals, agriculture, livestock and health projects as well as culture, youth and sports. The final ratification was approved by the two governments in 2007.
In 1998, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah visited the Kingdom. During a meeting with the late King Fahd, he discussed bilateral relations and held a comprehensive review of the overall situation at the Islamic and international arenas.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Late King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met in Riyadh in 1433 Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Foreign Trade Minister of the Sultanate of Brunei Dar Al-Salam. During the meeting, they reviewed a number of issues of common interest.
In 1997, King Salman, when he was the Emir of Riyadh, paid a visit to Brunei.
© The Saudi Gazette 2017
