Brunei's Ambassador: PM Pham Minh Chinh's visit provides further momentum to bilateral ties
WVR - Sharing about the results of the official visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Brunei, Ambassador of Brunei to Vietnam Malai Halimah Malai Yussof emphasized that the visit would provide further momentum to our bilateral ties after the two sides celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations in 2022.
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| PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Could you please share your assessments of the important results of the official visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse to Brunei Darussalam?
The official Visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Brunei Darussalam was significant and meaningful as it took place after more than a decade since a Vietnamese Prime Minister last visited Brunei Darussalam in 2007.
In addition, it was the first high-level visit between the two countries since the State Visit of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam to Viet Nam in March 2019. I am confident the visit would provide further momentum to our bilateral ties after we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations in 2022.
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| Ambassador of Brunei to Vietnam Malai Halimah Malai Yussof. (Photo: PA) |
These exchanges further underscore the commitment from both sides to further elevate relations through more frequent high-level exchanges. It has played an important role not only in strengthening the close personal rapport between our leaders, but promotes deeper and more substantive cooperation between both countries.
The visit witnessed the signing of a Plan of Action on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership for 2023 – 2027 and the Exchange of Notes for the Arrangement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports between Brunei Darussalam and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. The Plan of Action will chart the future direction of our bilateral cooperation towards elevating our Comprehensive Partnership and create tangible benefits in shared interests.
With regards to the Visa Exemption Arrangement, Brunei Darussalam hope that it will further promote people-to-people linkages with Viet Nam and facilitate the smooth movement of goods and services.
What are the prospects of cooperation between the two countries in the coming time, especially in the economic field?
I believe that there is great potential for both of our countries to work together in the economic field. Brunei Darussalam attaches great importance to Viet Nam as a trade and investment partner. In September 2022, our two-way trade amounted to BND736.4 million (US$556 million) surpassing the trade target of US$500 million before 2025, which is an important testament to the growing economic cooperation.
I am confident that we can further strengthen cooperation in this area, including by exploring opportunities in downstream oil and gas, as well as through joint ventures in aquaculture to help build the capacity of Brunei Darussalam’s local industries and ensure food security.
How could the two countries promote cooperation to further develop the common roof – ASEAN Community?
Brunei Darussalam has always considered Viet Nam as a reliable partner within ASEAN, and we appreciate the steadfast support from Viet Nam during Brunei Darussalam’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2021. The ASEAN Community encapsulates a broad range of objectives and visions which include among others, to generate tangible benefits and ascertain equitable access to these gains, to provide a sense of belonging and equitable opportunities to all, as well as to realise a peaceful and stable region for its people.
In order to achieve these goals, it is important to work collectively and ensure continuous communication, not only between Brunei Darussalam and Viet Nam but also between ASEAN Member States as well as external partners.
This is especially important amid regional and global challenges brought about by geopolitical tensions, increased protectionism, climate change and health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Ensuring continuous communication will also promote a coordinated approach and enable quick and timely responses in addressing disruptions that may face the ASEAN Community through complementing and the sharing of information, expertise, and measures taken.
Brunei Darussalam reiterates its commitment to work with Viet Nam and other ASEAN Member States in addressing shared regional challenges and, as we take meaningful steps towards achieving the ASEAN Community’s Vision 2025.
Additionally, it is also vital for Brunei Darussalam and Viet Nam to work together, bilaterally and multilaterally, to implement ASEAN Free Trade Agreements and the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) to enhance collective resilience to any future emergencies and crises in order to accelerate economic growth and recovery so that the region can build back better.
People-to-people linkages is also important in the development of the ASEAN Community. I am pleased that over the years, Brunei Darussalam and Viet Nam enjoy significant progress in our people-to-people exchanges as reflected by the resumption of direct air services between Bandar Seri Begawan and Ho Chi Minh City which facilitate travels between our peoples, and the continued offer of scholarships.
Aside from this, there is also good progress in our culture, youth and sports exchanges through Brunei Darussalam’s participation in the 31st Southeast Asian Games hosted by Viet Nam as well as Viet Nam’s involvement in the Southeast Asian Youth Al – Quran Reading Competition and the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy for ASEAN Youth Football Championship in Brunei Darussalam. The support towards each other’s activities has helped to bring our people together and in establishing good sportsmanship and mutual respect
It is clear from the aforementioned points that both countries are not only making efforts to cultivate people-to-people exchanges that are on a bilateral basis but also in enhancing linkages between the peoples of ASEAN. These efforts should be further consolidated in order to nurture understanding, friendship and solidarity between the peoples of ASEAN, as well as promote greater awareness and a sense of belonging and togetherness towards a more holistic ASEAN Community.
It is your first year in Viet Nam, could you highlight significant plans in the coming time to push our relations?
As the new Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Viet Nam, I look forward to working closely with Viet Nam to foster the positive momentum of our ties during my tenure here. On behalf of the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Ha Noi, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the kind hospitality that has been accorded to me and our Embassy by the Government of Viet Nam and I look forward to continued support in facilitating the work of our mission here.
