Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof and Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom Anne-Marie Trevelyan delved into a wide array of bilateral issues, covering trade and economy, legal affairs, defence, security, maritime concerns, climate change, environmental protection, education and human rights.
They discussed these topics in London recently, co-chairing the third United Kingdom (UK) – Brunei Darussalam Strategic Dialogue to further promote and strengthen bilateral cooperation built on the foundations of the long-standing relations and special friendship between both countries.
The ministers convened to commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UK and the Sultanate.
The ministers emphasised the importance of upholding the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the Commonwealth Charter, including respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all nations.
An agreement discussed was the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), viewed as a mechanism to enhance the UK’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region and foster prosperity among member nations.
Brunei Darussalam reiterated its commitment to ratifying the UK’s accession protocol to unlock mutual economic benefits.
Meanwhile, the ministers also engaged in discussions on regional and international issues, including recent developments in the Middle East/Gaza, Ukraine, the South China Sea and Myanmar. Both parties anticipated the next UK-Brunei Darussalam Strategic Dialogue scheduled for 2025 in Brunei Darussalam, initiated in November 2021.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan also engaged in bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the strategic dialogue with Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Cameron.
The discussions underscored the enduring nature of the relationship, emphasising the ties, government-to-government connections, as well as the close educational and people-to-people links between the two nations.
The defence partnership, exemplified by the hosting of British Forces, was highlighted for its contribution to regional security and prosperity. – James Kon
