HIS Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, yesterday hailed the bilateral cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Korea in both the public and private sectors from oil and gas agreements, to shipbuilding, bridge building, agriculture and fisheries and rice production.

HRH said this in a statement as he met with Yun Byung-se, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, in Seoul for discussions on ways to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.

His Royal Highness also attended a dinner yesterday hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

His Royal Highness accompanied by Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah is in the Republic of Korea at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

His Royal Highness noted the amazing changes and tremendous development in South Korea and said, “It has given us a vision of the new Asia and it is a very exciting one.”

His Royal Highness said His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was looking forward to the Asean-Korea Commemorative Summit in Seoul in December.

“We are all very much looking forward to the 30th Anniversary of our diplomatic relations later this year, not just to celebrate, but also to get some important practical things finalised like the Education MoU; our Double Taxation Agreement; and the Joint Venture Agreement on Agriculture,” HRH said.

Following is the full text of HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah’s statement:

“It is almost 15 years since my last visit to the Republic of Korea.

“Back then, we were all wondering about the new century and what it would bring and, to put it briefly, now we can see it all happening right here.

“I am amazed at all the changes and the tremendous development going on. It has given us a vision of the new Asia and it is a very exciting one.

“We can see it in all our regional partnerships, political, commercial, cultural and trading; and it is there in all the international organisations we belong to, like the ACD, FEALAC and the United Nations and many non-government ones.

“It is also very much part of our relations with your country now, Minister, and it is very clear in the progress of

our bilateral cooperation; in education with more of our students looking to Korea for scholarships and study; in sport with your coaches doing a great job in football and taekwondo; and culturally, where our people very much enjoy K-Pop and Korean dramas like the ‘Nanta’ show held recently as part of the anniversary activities.

“As well as that, cooperation in both the public and private sectors is going very well indeed, from oil and gas agreements, to shipbuilding, bridge building, agriculture and fisheries and rice production.

“As I said, what it all does is open up a very exciting future for our people with new jobs and a better quality of living, as well as enjoying the chance of getting to know and appreciate each other.

“So, we are all very much looking forward to the 30th Anniversary of our diplomatic relations later this year, not just to celebrate, but also to get some important practical things finalised like the Education Memorandum of Understanding (MoU); our Double Taxation Agreement; and the Joint Venture Agreement on Agriculture.

“I hope they will all be ready for signing at the anniversary meeting because it will add up to a great record of progress over the last 30 years and give us a very good chance to look at more ways to bring our people closer together.

“Then, on regional matters, His Majesty is looking forward to the Asean-Korea Commemorative Summit here in December. I know that that preparations are well underway and we appreciate the work by your people.

“We are also very satisfied with the Asean-Korea FTA. It has certainly helped our oil and gas industry.

“Overall, we are pleased with developments in our region and we thank you most warmly for your support and contribution.

“Lastly, on the wider international front, I offer our great appreciation for your many contributions to the ACD and the leadership you are giving us all in ICT, especially with the cyber-secretariat in FEALAC.

“As well as all the technical support, I would like to congratulate Korea on hosting the Asian Games.

“They are getting tremendous coverage at home and our people are very much enjoying them, not only the actual sports, but the whole Asian spirit of the games.

“I think Korea has done a superb job in this and I am sure your people will do the same in presenting Asia to the world at the Winter Olympics in 2018.

“So, to sum up, Minister, we are delighted with our work together. We very much appreciate your people’s friendship and cooperation.

“It gives us a lot of confidence in the future of both our region and of Asia itself.” - Borneo Bulletin (2 October 2014)