NUSA DUA, Bali - His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, yesterday attended the 18th Asean Regional Forum (ARF) at the Bali International Convention Centre, Indonesia. The Forum included a Retreat and Plenary Session in which Ministers discussed regional and international security matters and the future direction of the ARF.

His Royal Highness made a statement on the future direction of the ARF in which he stressed that safety and security would be at the heart of any future Asean Community.

His Royal Highness also held a meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in which bilateral cooperation and regional issues were discussed.

His Royal Highness joined other Asean Foreign Ministers in attending the closing ceremony of the 44th Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM). Prior to that, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, attended the signing ceremony for the Instrument of Accession to the Third Protocol Amending the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) by Canada.

His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah departed Bali yesterday evening, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna and YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz. - Borneo Bulletin (24th July 2011)