HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to send a message of congratulations to the President of the Republic of France, Francois Hollande, as well as the Government and people of France on the occasion of Bastille Day.

In the message, His Majesty much appreciated the warm and close relations between the two countries and looked forward to further opportunities to continue strengthen the valuable friendship and cooperation enjoyed by the people and governments of Brunei Darussalam and France.

In concluding the message, His Majesty conveyed his kindest regards and best wishes to the French President for a happy celebration.

In a similar congratulatory message by HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to Laurent Fabius, France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, HRH presented his congratulations to the minister, the Government and people of France.

“I warmly congratulate your government and people of the initiatives they are taking in international affairs and wish you much success in these efforts in the coming year. I also look forward to continuing to strengthen our friendship and cooperation, particularly through partnership in the Asia-Europe Meeting and the Asean-EU Dialogue,” said HRH.

HRH conveyed his best wishes to the French minister and Brunei’s much-valued French community for a very happy celebration. - Borneo Bulletin (14 July 2014)