His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to send congratulatory messages to the Republic of the Philippines and the Russian Federation.

His Majesty, in a message to the President of the Philippines Benigno Simeon C Aquino III, the Government and the people on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of the Philippines, expressed great appreciation of the warm friendship and close ties enjoyed by the people of Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Philippines and the valuable cooperation between the two countries not only in bilateral endeavours but also in important work as close neighbours in Asean.

His Majesty also extended his kind regards and best wishes and looked forward to further opportunities to strengthen relations between the two countries in years to come.

Meanwhile, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam also consented to send a congratulatory message to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as well as to the Government and the people of the Russian Federation, on the occasion of the country's National Day.

In the message to the Russian President, His Majesty expressed happiness on the warm and friendly ties that exist between the Russian Federation and Brunei Darussalam and expressed hope to working with the Russian President on preparations for the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders' Summit in September.

His Majesty also took the opportunity to wish the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev a very happy celebration on the occasion of Russia's National Day and expressed hope of future opportunities for both countries to enhance the much valued existing ties of friendship and cooperation.

Meanwhile, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, also sent congratulatory messages to Albert Del Rosario, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Republic of the Philippines, and Sergei Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Federation.

"I am delighted to send my warmest congratulations to you and to the Government and people of the Republic of the Philippines on your country's Independence Day," HRH said in his message to the Philippines' Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

"I much appreciate the opportunities we have had to work closely together to strengthen our people's warm friendship and cooperation and I look forward to the pleasure of continuing our work together as long-standing friends and regional partners."

Meanwhile, in his message to the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, HRH said: "I would like to send my warmest congratulations to you and to the Government and people of Russia on your National Day.

"It was a great pleasure to meet you again on your visit to Brunei earlier this year and I greatly appreciate your government's commitment to strengthening our warm bilateral friendship and close cooperation as regional partners."

HRH also wished the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs in his preparations for hosting September's APEC Forum in Vladivostok. - Borneo Bulletin (12 June 2012)