VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam and Brunei on November 28 released a joint statement on the occasion of the State visit of President Truong Tan Sang to Brunei from November 27-29.

Vietnam, Brunei enhance multi-faceted cooperation

Following is the full text of the document:

At the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Truong Tan Sang, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam made a State visit to Brunei Darussalam from 27 to 29 November 2012. This was the second State visit to Brunei Darussalam by a Head of State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The Meeting between the two Heads of State took place at Istana Nurul Iman, in which they exchanged views on developments in their respective countries and bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues of common interest.

The Heads of State highlighted the significance of the visit in further enhancing and consolidating the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, at a time when Brunei Darussalam and Vietnam are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1992 – 2012).

His Majesty congratulated the Vietnamese people on their important achievements in the national development and reform process; and expressed his confidence that Vietnam would successfully implement its “2011 – 2020 Socio-economic Development Strategy” in their effort to achieve the goal of building a prosperous country and making positive contributions to peace and stability in the region and the world.

His Excellency President Truong Tan Sang highly valued the achievements of Brunei Darussalam in its national development plan; and expressed his firm belief that under the leadership of His Majesty, Brunei Darussalam would successfully implement its “2035 National Vision” to turn Brunei Darussalam into a developed and prosperous country with an increasingly important role in the regional and international fora.

The Heads of State acknowledged the friendly relations between Brunei Darussalam and Vietnam in various areas of cooperation, bilaterally and multilaterally since the establishment of diplomatic relations. They also expressed commitment to enhance these further in the coming years, in all areas, in the interest of the people of both countries for peace, cooperation and development in the Asia–Pacific region.

The Heads of State acknowledged the regular exchange of high-level visits as well as at the Senior Officials level taking place over the years, and recognized the importance of enhancing these visits. They also agreed to the early convening of the Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) to further promote cooperation and expand the existing relations between the two countries.

The Heads of State expressed pleasure in the bilateral security-defense cooperation and agreed to consider the possibility of establishing a hot line between the two navy forces and conclude a bilateral cooperation agreement on preventing and combating crimes.

The Heads of State expressed satisfaction with the encouraging growth of the bilateral trade and reaffirmed the importance of continue creating favorable conditions for investors of both sides to explore business opportunities available in each country to further increase investment cooperation. They believed that the recent signing of the Agreement of Cooperation between the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brunei Darussalam (NCCIBD) and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) is a significant step towards an enhanced economic relationship between both sides.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan and His Excellency President Truong Tan Sang acknowledged the importance of promoting cooperation in the areas of finance and energy, and in this regard welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam and the State Bank of Vietnam, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding between Brunei National Petroleum Company Sendirian Berhad (PetroleumBRUNEI) and Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PETROVIETNAM). The Heads of State also looked forward to strengthening cooperation in other potential areas such as education, agriculture and fisheries, labour and tourism.

The Heads of State also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern; agreed to continue cooperation closely at regional and international fora, particularly through ASEAN and the United Nations; and coordinate with other member countries to build the ASEAN Community by 2015. President Truong Tan Sang reaffirmed that Vietnam would support and stand ready to coordinate with Brunei Darussalam when the latter serves as the Chairman of ASEAN in 2013.

The Heads of State reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in the region, in particular, promoting maritime security and cooperation in the East Sea. They also agreed that any overlapping claims be addressed through peaceful means, including dialogue and consultations, and in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Heads of State also welcomed ASEAN’s Six-Point Principles on the East Sea and the Joint Statement of the 15th ASEAN-China Summit on the 10th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). They also looked forward to the full and effective implementation of the 2002 ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the early conclusion of a regional Code of Conduct (COC).

The Heads of State expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of their meeting which was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust.

His Excellency Truong Tan Sang, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam expressed his deep gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, for the warm welcome and kind hospitality extended to him and his delegation during his State Visit. His Excellency also extended an invitation to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha to make a State Visit to Vietnam, and His Majesty accepted with pleasure.

VNN/VNA