His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday afternoon consented to receive in audience Lady Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission.

Lady Catherine Ashton is currently in Brunei to co-chair the 19th Asean-European Union Ministerial Meeting.

Present to accompany Lady Catherine Ashton during the audience was Julian Wilson, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the European Union Commission to Brunei Darussalam.

Also at the audience was Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II.

During the audience, His Majesty and Lady Catherine Ashton exchanged views on several issues, including cooperation between Brunei and the European Union, whereby both sides agreed to begin negotiations on a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Brunei and the European Union.

The audience ceremony took place at the Istana Nurul Iman. - Borneo Bulletin (27 April 2012)