His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam arrived in Berlin, Germany yesterday for a three-day official visit that includes a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

His Majesty's official programme begins today with a guard of honour welcome at Schloss Bellevue, the home of Germany's head of state, President Christian Wulff, German news agency dpa reported.

The Sultan is also set to visit Berlin's town hall, where the monarch will be welcomed by Mayor Klaus Wowereit.

His Majesty is scheduled to have a lunchtime meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday, followed by a news conference. Their meeting would concentrate on trade, cooperation on environmental issues and Brunei's role in Southeast Asia, the chancellor's office said.

Earlier, His Majesty was greeted on arrival at the Berlin Tegel Airport by Mr Karl-Albrecht Wokalek, Chief of Protocol; Dr Thomas Bruns, Ambassador of Federal Republic of Germany to Brunei Darussalam; and other senior officials from the Federal Government of Germany.

Also present at the airport to greet His Majesty were Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II; Pehin Datu Inderasugara Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yusof bin Abu Bakar, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Federal Republic of Germany; Heads of Missions from Asean countries in Berlin; and officers of the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Berlin.

His Majesty walked through a static guard mounted by the Federal German Army towards the motorcade before leaving for the City of Berlin.

This is His Majesty's third visit to Germany. Brunei and Germany established diplomatic relations in 1984 and both countries have established cooperation covering areas such as education, defence and health.

Apart from attending luncheons hosted by the German president and chancellor, His Majesty will also be attending a reception with Brunei students studying and working in Germany. - Borneo Bulletin (8th June 2011)