Comments by MFA Spokesman - 6th Brunei-Singapore Exchange Visit, 25-27 Oct 1999

Commenting on the audience with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah today, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law Prof S Jayakumar said, "In the audience with His Majesty, we agreed on the importance of such exchange visits for maintaining the close relations between the two countries. We noted that this exchange visit was something unique which Singapore had with Brunei in bringing together political leaders as well as public and private sector participants."

Yesterday, Minister S Jayakumar called on his Bruneian counterpart HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah. Both Ministers discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on developments in the region, including the Indonesian Presidential election and East Timor. Both FMs agreed that bilateral relations were excellent and problem-free. HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah extended an invitation to Minister Jayakumar to make an official visit to Brunei Darussalam. Minister Jayakumar has accepted the invitation.

During their three-day stay in Brunei, members of the Singapore delegation also had separate bilateral meetings with their Bruneian counterparts. In keeping with the tradition of the exchange visit, they also participated in a friendly golf tournament organised by Brunei Darussalam.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
26 OCTOBER 1999