JOINT STATEMENT ON THE 18TH ANNUAL LEADERS’ CONSULTATION BETWEEN MALAYSIA AND BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, PUTRAJAYA, 3 NOVEMBER 2014 The Honourable Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, and His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, met in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on 3 November 2014 for the 18th Annual Leaders’ Consultation between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam. The Consultation was held in a warm and constructive atmosphere, symbolising the deep-rooted special ties shared by Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam. Both Leaders were pleased to note the continued strengthening of bilateral relations since the 17th Annual Leaders’ Consultation on 8 December 2013, and reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries. Both Leaders stressed the importance of the Exchange of Letters signed by the Leaders of Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam on 16 March 2009 (Exchange of Letters) in paving the way for strategic bilateral partnership between both countries. They expressed their satisfaction with the on-going progress of the implementation of the Exchange of Letters and urged officials to intensify their efforts to conclude the outstanding elements, as well as other issues that are being deliberated by both sides. They also noted the steadfast cooperation and partnership between PETRONAS and PetroleumBRUNEI which has extended beyond the Commercial Arrangement Area (CAA) that include the progress in the exploration activities under the Production Sharing Agreements for Blocks N and Q and in third countries such as in Canada. Both Leaders also noted that the Brunei Darussalam and PETRONAS Unitisation Joint Working Group is progressing well with the formalisation of the unitisation arrangement for Kinabalu West and Maharajalela North Fields as priority, and smooth implementation of the provisional arrangement with regard to the Gumusut/ Kakap and Geronggong/Jagus-East Fields. The Leaders also welcomed the signing of the Joint Announcement by PETRONAS and PetroleumBRUNEI progressing their collaboration in Myanmar. The Leaders commended the excellent work of the joint technical teams in the joint demarcation and survey of the land boundary between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam and noted with satisfaction the significant progress in the demarcation of part of an identified priority area. The Leaders also welcomed the adoption of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the joint hydrographic survey to determine the boundary from Pandaruan River and Sungai Menunggol to their respective end points of the Sarawak (Definition of Boundaries) Order in Council (OIC) 1958 No. 1518 on 24 March 2014. Moving forward, both Leaders called for the continued commitment of the joint technical teams in expediting efforts to conclude the joint demarcation and survey of the land boundary within the targeted timeframe. The Leaders welcomed the on-going discussion to operationalise provision of the Exchange of Letters relating to maritime access. In this regard, both Leaders urged that efforts be intensified to enable the early conclusion of the discussion. Both Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maritime cooperation and urged the officials of both countries to continue discussions towards increasing collaboration in this area with a view to having a memorandum of understanding in maritime cooperation. The Leaders recalled their discussion at the last Annual Leaders’ Consultations on matters relating to fisheries cooperation between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, including traditional fishing grounds. Both Leaders noted that officials of both sides are currently discussing this matter and encouraged them to conclude the discussion expeditiously with a view to having a memorandum of understanding in fisheries cooperation. The Leaders reiterated their commitment to enhance economic cooperation between the states of Sabah and Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam. Both Leaders were encouraged by the outcome of discussions in facilitating the joint venture for the Keningau Integrated Livestock Centre (KILC) and exploring potential economic cooperation in new areas of mutual interest. Both Leaders also noted with satisfaction the continued efforts to further accelerate economic cooperation between Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam, particularly in the field of energy cooperation. Both Leaders were also pleased with the conclusion of the Agreement between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam on the Management, Maintenance and Usage of the Bridge Spanning the Pandaruan River on 19 August 2014. The operation of the Bridge has contributed positively in enhancing connectivity and the movement of persons and goods between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam. Both Leaders were pleased to note the enhancement of bilateral trade as well as investment flows between the two countries. They encouraged the private sectors of both countries to further collaborate in accelerating bilateral trade and investment cooperation to deepen economic integration of the region towards the realisation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015. They also welcomed the ongoing implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on Cooperation in the Development of the Cooperative Sector, signed on 8 December 2013, which would facilitate joint efforts to improve their respective business environments, enhance entrepreneurs’ capacities and promote exposure to regional markets. Both Leaders reiterated the importance of continuous cooperation between both countries to facilitate the development of their financial services industries and supervision of cross-border establishments, as well as enhancing cooperation in Syariah and Islamic finance. The Leaders recalled the signing of the Agreement on Economic Cooperation between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam on 2 September 2012 and expressed satisfaction with the ongoing implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD) signed on 3 April 2013, and encouraged the regular exchanges of information and expertise between both institutions. Both Leaders reaffirmed the importance of defence cooperation between the two countries. They further commended the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and Royal Brunei Armed Force (RBAF) presently serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao, the Philippines, for their unwavering dedication to maintaining peace and stability of the respective regions. The Prime Minister of Malaysia expressed appreciation for His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s continuous commitment and support to the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) and Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibitions. The Prime Minister expressed hope that His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam would be able to attend LIMA 2015 and DSA 2016. The Leaders noted the ongoing discussions on the movement of prisoners from areas between Sabah and Sarawak via Brunei Darussalam and of movement of prisoners within Brunei Darussalam via Sarawak, and encouraged the relevant agencies to strengthen cooperation in this area including the conclusion of an agreed standard operating procedure. Both Leaders reaffirmed the importance of deepening cultural ties between the two countries. In this regard, they commended the achievement of athletes from both countries at Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) 2014 and expressed hope for the continuous participation of the Brunei Darussalam contingent in SUKMA in coming years. His Majesty expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s support and continued participation in the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) for ASEAN Youth Football Championship, which is aimed at deepening awareness of ASEAN among the people of Southeast Asia, particularly its youth. His Majesty also welcomed Malaysia’s interest in Brunei Darussalam’s Program Khidmat Bakti Negara (PKBN), and looked forward to potential cooperation between PKBN and Malaysia’s Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN). The Prime Minister of Malaysia congratulated His Majesty on the upcoming conferment of the Honorary Doctorate of Laws (Hon. LL.D.) from the Universiti Sains Malaysia on 5 November 2014 in recognition of His Majesty’s contribution in the fields of law and education. The award will encourage further collaborative efforts between the higher education institutions of both countries, especially in leadership, training, technical and vocational education and research visits. Both Leaders reiterated the importance of strengthening cooperation in the sectors of agriculture, information, technology and communication, and taxation, and expressed hope for both sides to finalise documents in these matters to further enhance bilateral relations between the two countries. His Majesty congratulated the Prime Minister on Malaysia’s successful election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2015-2016, and expressed confidence in Malaysia’s contribution to the promotion of international peace and security. On behalf of the Government of Malaysia, the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the invaluable support given to Malaysia by Brunei Darussalam. His Majesty the Sultan expressed his best wishes and full support to the Prime Minister for Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2015. Both Leaders reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN and its centrality, and looked forward to the historic establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015 under the Malaysian chairmanship. The Leaders agreed to hold the 19th Annual Leaders’ Consultation in Brunei Darussalam in 2015. PUTRAJAYA 3 November 2014
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 08:23:22 +0000
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