BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who attended a bilateral meeting with the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin recently, expressed appreciation for Germany’s support and contribution to Brunei Darussalam’s development.
The projects include the Muara Maritime Services joint venture, Lufthansa Technik in the aviation sector, and the successful operations of the Brunei Fertilizer plant.
The Sultan and Steinmeier discussed upcoming engagements, including visits to German companies namely Lufthansa Technik, and prospects for increased industrial and defence cooperation, which will continue to strengthen economic and defence technology partnerships and expand collaboration in the nano sector and leverage existing contacts in German industry.
The leaders touched on the interconnectedness of security in South-East Asia and Europe amid rising global tensions, underscoring the need for deeper Asean-EU cooperation to promote regional stability.
The monarch expressed appreciation for the close cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and Germany in international forums, including at the United Nations.
In this regard, the Sultan reaffirmed Brunei Darussalam’s support for Germany’s candidacy for non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2027–2028, and expressed appreciation for Germany’s support for Brunei Darussalam’s candidacy for the Vice-Presidency of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly for the term 2028–2029.
On regional and international issues, the Sultan shared the latest developments on Asean and expressed deep concern about developments in the Middle East, which have far-reaching global implications, as well as in Palestine and Lebanon.
He reaffirmed Brunei Darussalam’s support for an independent State of Palestine based on a two-state solution and with pre-1967 borders, and he added that he looked forward to continued efforts by European partners to reduce tensions, contribute to a peaceful resolution, and uphold the principles of the UN Charter.
He also extended an invitation to Steinmeier to make a state visit to Brunei Darussalam.
The Sultan also received in audience Germany's Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Johann Wadephul. The audience ceremony was held in Berlin.
The monarch shared that, as the current Country Coordinator for Asean-EU Dialogue Relations, Brunei is positively considering Germany’s request to become an Asean Sectoral Dialogue Partner.
He expressed satisfaction that Brunei Darussalam hosted the 25th Asean-EU Ministerial Meeting last month, which reinforced the strategic direction of the partnership.
The Sultan also hoped that Germany can continue to support Asean’s work in advancing the climate agenda, particularly through the Asean Centre for Climate Change.
The Sultan and Dr Wadephul discussed matters of mutual interest and look forward to enhancing bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and Germany, including in the fields of security, defence, education, energy, agriculture, and information technology. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
