His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam is in Hanoi to attend the 14th Apec Economic Leaders' Meeting. His Majesty's special plane landed at the No Bai International Airport at about 10.25pm last night, RTB reported.
Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by the Deputy Director General, Department of Asia II of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Mr Hoang Xuan Hai. Also present were the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II, Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng and Brunei's Ambassador to Vietnam, Hj Mohammad Mahdi bin Pehin Dato Hj Awang Abdul Rahman.
The 14th Apec Economic Leaders' Meeting to be chaired by the Vietnamese President, Mr Nguyen Minh Triet, will be held today and on Sunday. The meeting will be held in two retreat sessions. At the first retreat session, the Apec leaders are expected to focus their discussion on economic matters particularly the WTO DOHA Development Agenda, (DDA) and enhancing trade and investment in the Apec region. Discussions at the second retreat session will focus on security issues including counter terrorism, avian influenza and interfaith cultural dialogues.
His Majesty then proceeded to Melia Hotel where His Majesty is staying during the summit.
While in Hanoi, His Majesty would be holding a number of meetings with several key figures of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Yesterday morning, His Majesty consented to call on the Vietnamese Prime Minister Mr Nguyen Tan Dung. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister's Office.
During the meeting, His Majesty thanked the prime minister for the hospitality accorded to His Majesty and delegation. His Majesty also congratulated the prime minister for hosting this year's Apec summit meeting.
His Majesty and the prime minister were pleased to note the excellent relations that existed between Brunei Darussalam and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Both His Majesty and the prime minister also discussed efforts to enhance further the relationship between the two countries in areas such as trade, investment and labour.
Present at the talks were the Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister's Office, Pehin Dato Awang Hj Yahya, and the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II, Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng.
In the afternoon, His Majesty consented to call on the Secretary-General of the Vietnamese Communist Party, Mr Nong Duc Manh. The meeting was held at the Party's headquarters.
- Borneo Bulletin
(18th Nov 2006)
