HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday afternoon consented to hold a bilateral meeting with Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Security of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.

According to a press release, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao is currently in Brunei Darussalam for an official visit for three days.

The bilateral meeting was held at Istana Nurul Iman.

His Majesty and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao discussed issues related to bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, as well as exchanged views on regional and international matters of mutual concerns.

Present in the ceremony were His Royal Highness 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.

Accompanying Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao were Jose Luis Guterres, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; Bendito Freitas, Minister of Education; Alfredo Pires, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; Idelta Rodrigues, Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality; and senior officers.

Also present were YB Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, Minister of Education; YB Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, Minister of Communications as the Minister-in-Attendance; YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II; and YB Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office. - Borneo Bulletin (16 March 2014)