His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's visit to the Russian Federation yesterday kicked off with two bilateral meetings that took place at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum 2012 venue on the Far Eastern Federal University Campus here in Vladivostok, Russia.

Hours after the monarch's arrival at the Vladivostok International Airport, His Majesty consented to meet with the President of the People's Republic of China, Hu Jintao, and the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, on separate occasions accompanied by their respective senior officials.

A press release issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) stated that the gatherings had discussed and ex-changed views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern. "The leaders also discussed various efforts to further strengthen relationships between the countries," elaborated the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Accompanying His Majesty were Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awg Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II at the PMO; Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Awg Lim Jock Sing, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II, as well as Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (R) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awg Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy at the PMO.

Earlier, His Majesty was greeted upon arrival at the Vladivostok International Airport by Yuri Analtolyevich Filatov, Director of Ministry of Foreign Affairs State Protocol Department, Aleksandr Ivanovich Kostenko, First Vice Governor of Primosky Region, and Yekaterina Aleksandrovna Khimich, First Deputy Head of the Administration of the City of Vladivostok. Also present was Awg Haji Haini bin Haji Hashim, the Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Russian Federation.

His Majesty's arrival at the residence was greeted by Surov Sergey, the General Director of Building 2. - Borneo Bulletin (8 September 2012)