Brunei, East Timor to forge closer ties
Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who received East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao on March 15 on a three-day official visit to his country, said that this would pave the way for greater cooperation between both states, The Brunei Times reported on its website.
“Brunei Darussalam looks forward to working with East Timor in the areas of education, tourism and energy for the benefit of our people and the region as a whole,” the Sultan said when he was delivering his speech during an official dinner hosted in honour of Gusmao and his delegation.
“The people of East Timor can rest assured that Brunei supports its dream to become the 11th member state of ASEAN,” the Sultan said. In addition, Prime Minister Gusmao’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations was valued by the Sultan and the prospect of setting up an East Timor embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan was welcomed.
On his part, Prime Minister Gusmao said “we feel welcome as friends and close neighbors and I am very pleased that this visit has strengthened the bonds of solidarity between our countries.”
His visit was the first one to Brunei since East Timor gained independence from Indonesia on May 20, 2002. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in the same year and are described as warm and cordial. Brunei has also been offering scholarships for a certain number of students from the republic to further their studies in the Sultanate.
Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who received East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao on March 15 on a three-day official visit to his country, said that this would pave the way for greater cooperation between both states, The Brunei Times reported on its website. "Brunei Darussalam looks forward to working with East Timor in the areas of education, tourism and energy for the benefit of our people and the region as a whole," the Sultan said when he was delivering his speech during an official dinner hosted in honour of Gusmao and his delegation. "The people of East Timor can rest assured...
Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who received East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao on March 15 on a three-day official visit to his country, said that this would pave the way for greater cooperation between both states, The Brunei Times reported on its website.
“Brunei Darussalam looks forward to working with East Timor in the areas of education, tourism and energy for the benefit of our people and the region as a whole,” the Sultan said when he was delivering his speech during an official dinner hosted in honour of Gusmao and his delegation.
“The people of East Timor can rest assured that Brunei supports its dream to become the 11th member state of ASEAN,” the Sultan said. In addition, Prime Minister Gusmao’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations was valued by the Sultan and the prospect of setting up an East Timor embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan was welcomed.
On his part, Prime Minister Gusmao said “we feel welcome as friends and close neighbors and I am very pleased that this visit has strengthened the bonds of solidarity between our countries.”
His visit was the first one to Brunei since East Timor gained independence from Indonesia on May 20, 2002. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in the same year and are described as warm and cordial. Brunei has also been offering scholarships for a certain number of students from the republic to further their studies in the Sultanate.
