HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to send a congratulatory message to U Thein Sein, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar as well as the Government and people of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on the occasion of their Independence Day.

In the message, His Majesty expressed his appreciation over the strong support of the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar’s Government during Brunei Darussalam’s chairmanship of Asean and wished him, every success for Myanmar’s chairmanship this year.

His Majesty also congratulated the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on his people’s remarkable achievement in hosting the Southeast Asian Games last December and looked forward to working closely with him to further strengthen the important regional cooperation and much-valued bilateral ties between the two countries.

Meanwhile, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, sent a similar congratulatory message to Wunna Maunh Lwin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, on the occasion of the 66th Independence Day of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

HRH said: “It was a great pleasure working closely with you this past year and I much appreciated the valuable support you constantly gave us during our Chairmanship of Asean.

“I would also like to congratulate you on the successful hosting of the Southeast Asian Games in December 2013 and on the outstanding achievements of your sportsmen and women.

“I look forward to continuing our close friendship and cooperation in your own Chairmanship of Asean and send my full support in all your preparations for the coming Ministerial Retreat.” - Borneo Bulletin (4 January 2014)