MFA Press Release: Minister George Yeo in Brunei for the 12th Singapore-Brunei Exchange Visit (SBEV), 31 March - 2 April 2006

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo arrived in Bandar Seri Begawan, Negara Brunei Darussalam, in the afternoon of 31 March 2006 as the head of a Singapore delegation comprising Ministers, senior civil servants and private sector representatives for the 12th Singapore-Brunei Exchange Visit (SBEV).

The Singapore delegation attended a tea reception hosted by Singapore High Commissioner to Brunei Mr Joseph Koh following their arrival in Bandar Seri Begawan. The reception was an opportunity for Minister Yeo and the other Ministers to meet with members of the Singaporean community in Brunei. The Singapore delegation was hosted to a welcome dinner by Brunei Second Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Pehin Lim Jock Seng.

On the afternoon of 1 April 2006, the Singapore Ministers and senior officials had an audience with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, and Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Prince Mohamed Bolkiah. Several Brunei Ministers and senior officials were also present at the audience. The discussion during the audience was wide-ranging, focusing on bilateral relations and regional issues. Following the audience, senior officials met with their Brunei counterparts to discuss ways to enhance ties and improve bilateral cooperation. The Singapore delegation also enjoyed friendly games of golf and badminton with their Brunei counterparts. Later that evening, Brunei Foreign Minister Prince Mohamed hosted the Singapore delegation to dinner to mark the end of the 12th SBEV.

The Singapore delegation will return to Singapore on Sunday.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
1 APRIL 2006