His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday morning granted an audience to U Thein Sein, the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, who is in the country for a three-day State Visit.

His Majesty welcomed the Myanmar president and both went up the dais for the Salute of Honour, which was accompanied by the national anthem of both countries. A 21 gun salute followed as the two leaders inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Royal Brunei Land Forces.

President U Thein Sein was introduced to the members of the royal family; state dignitaries; Cabinet Ministers; deputy ministers; Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces; Commissioner of Police; foreign envoys in Brunei Darussalam; as well as Permanent Secretaries at the Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

His Majesty in return was introduced to the members of the delegation of President U Thein Sein.

The delegation of the Myanmar president includes U Hyat Oo, Head of the Pyithu Hluttaw's Citizens' Fundamental Right Democratic Affairs and Human Rights Committee; U Wunna Maung Lwin, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs; U Soe Maung, Union Minister, Office of the President; Lt General Thet Naing Win, Ministry of Defence; and Yin Yin Myint, the Ambassador of Myanmar to Brunei Darussalam as well as other senior officials from the country.

Shortly after, an audience ceremony was held at the Cheradi Laila Kenchana. Also present in the audience ceremony were HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office; HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; HRH Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik; HRH Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as other members of the royal family.

Also in attendance during the audience ceremony was Yin Yin Myint, Ambassador of Myanmar to Brunei Darussalam.

After the audience ceremony, His Majesty consented to hold a bilateral meeting with the President of Myanmar in the Cheradi Ratna Kenchana, Istana Nurul Iman.

Also present during the bilateral meeting were HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office; and His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

President U Thein Sein and delegation arrived in Brunei Darussalam Monday and was greeted at the Brunei International Airport by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, Minister of Industry and Primary Resources as the Minister-in-Attendance.

Some 2,500 students lined up along the main road towards the main entrance of Istana Nurul Iman, waving flags of both countries to welcome the State Visit of the President of Myanmar. - Borneo Bulletin (5 December 2012)