BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, May 7: Pakistan and Brunei on Saturday resolved to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation and to start flights between the two countries. During their 45-minute meeting, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Sultan of Brunei Hasannal Bolkiah reviewed all aspects of bilateral relations and discussed cooperation in various multilateral forums, including Asean, OIC and the UN.
The sultan assured the prime minister of Brunei’s support for Pakistan’s bid for a full dialogue partnership status with the Asean. Mr Aziz later described his meeting as ‘very productive’ and said they had agreed to opening up of flights between Brunei and Pakistan.
The two leaders advocated greater people-to-people interaction. Sultan Bolkiah appreciated the role Pakistan was playing to promote peace and stability in the region. He underlined the need for projecting Islam as a religion of peace and tolerance. The revitalization of the Organization of Islamic Conference also came under discussion.
The prime minister also shared with the sultan Pakistan’s perspective on the United Nations reforms and its stand on the proposed expansion of the Security Council.
He apprised the Brunei leader of the ongoing India-Pakistan peace process and said Pakistan wished to resolve all disputes through peaceful means. Earlier, on arrival at the Brunei international airport here on a two-day official visit, the Prime Minister was received by Prince Sufri Bolkiah, younger brother of Sultan Bolkiah. He was accorded a red-carpet welcome and presented a guard of honour by the Royal Brunei land forces.
BANQUET: In the evening Sultan Bolkiah hosted a banquet in honour of Prime Minister Aziz at his palace.
Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said: “Our government places special emphasis on our vision East Asia policy that envisages deepening of our relations in multiple fields and institutional linkages with members of the Asean (Association of Southeast Nations), individually and collectively.”
He thanked Sultan Bolkiah for his support for Pakistan’s membership of the Asean Regional Forum and said: “We look forward to full dialogue partnership of Asean leading to summit-level relations.”
Addressing his host, the prime minister said: “I greatly value your views on regional and international issues, especially on challenges faced by the Islamic World.”
He said while there was need to project the correct image of Islam, reforms were also required within our societies for modernization and socio-economic development. Referring to the ongoing talks with India, the prime minister said Pakistan was committed to peace and dialogue for resolution of all issues with India, including Kashmir.
“With sincerity, flexibility and commitment, Pakistan and India can settle their problems and begin a new era of durable peace that ensures well-being and bright future for the people of South Asia,” he stressed.
Sultan Bolkiah in his welcome address said the two countries were gradually building cooperation in many areas ranging from social, culture and religion to economics, education, health and defence.
He thanked the Pakistan government for its contribution to the region in promoting sound relations with its neighbouring countries.
“It was clearly evidenced in your generous response to the desperate situation faced by the victims of December’s tsunami,” the sultan said, adding: “That was a moving and powerful statement of compassion and common humanity.”
Backing Pakistan’s bid for full dialogue partnership status with Asean, Sultan Bolkiah said: “We welcome Pakistan as a new and valuable partner and as a long-standing and much-respected friend of our own people.”
Later, the two countries signed two MoUs to promote economic and cultural cooperation. One MoU between the government of Pakistan and the Brunei Investment Agency pertains to establishing a joint investment company in Pakistan by the end of December 2005.
The other MoU pertains to cooperation in the fields of culture and related activities. It entails enhancing cooperation in the spheres of culture, arts, youth, sports and welfare between the two countries.
BUSINESSS FORUM: Addressing a business forum in the afternoon, Prime Minister Aziz urged businessmen and investors to explore the growing and attractive investment opportunities in Pakistan.
“We are creating a new Pakistan which is transparent, professional and offers opportunities…It is for you to seize the moment,” he said.
During a question-answer session, a businessman heading a recruiting agency complained that he had been denied visa to Pakistan. The prime minister looked at the Pakistan’s high commissioner sitting next to him and then said to the businessman: “Let me tell you, sir, your visa is approved and I will issue instructions to the high commissioner.”
ON BOARD PM’S AIRCRAFT: At the end of his visit to Malaysia, the prime minister said it would help enhance trade, defence and private sector cooperation between the two countries.
Talking to journalists accompanying him aboard his special aircraft on way to Brunei, he said the decision to sign the ‘Early Harvest Agreement’ with Malaysia by July would increase the two-way trade volume up to $1 billion.
Asked if the defence cooperation between Islamabad and Kuala Lumpur would increase as a consequence of his visit, the prime minister said: “Definitely.” Summing up the outcome of his first visit to Malaysia as prime minister, he said it was a ‘good beginning’ and mentioned the agreement between the two sides to finalize FTA by the end of the year.
He said that Malaysian companies were interested in bidding for the Multan-Faisalabad Highway project and construction of a new airport in Islamabad.
He said two banking delegations from Malaysia representing the Islamic Bank and Malay Bank would be soon visiting Pakistan as will be a number of other business delegations. Pointing to the Malaysian prime minister’s support for Pakistan’s bid for full dialogue partnership with Asean, he said Pakistan saw Malaysia as a vital link with the Asean nations.
Mr Aziz said Prime Minister Badawi had invited him to open a major Muslim Business Forum to be held in Kuala Lumpur from October 1-3.
The prime minister left Kuala Lumpur on Saturday morning after a hectic three-day official visit. He was seen off by the Malaysian information minister and the acting foreign minister.
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