His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddien Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam began the second day’s programme of his four-day official visit to Moscow by visiting the Tomb of Russian Unknown Soldier at Alexanderovsky Garden.
 

On arrival at the Alexanderovsky Garden, His Majesty was greeted by Major General Alexander Nikolayevich Denisov, the Commander of Moscow's Armed Forces. At the Alexanderovsky Garden, His Majesty laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Russian Unknown Soldier and at the end of the visit His Majesty received a guard of honour.

Later, His Majesty held a four-eye meeting with His Excellency President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia at the Green Room, Grand Kremlin Palace where the two leaders exchanged views on a broad range of bilateral as well as regional and international affairs.
 

His Majesty and President Putin later headed their respective delegations at the bilateral plenary meeting. At the meeting, both leaders continued their discussion on ways to enhance relationship between the two countries. At the end of the meeting, His Majesty extended an invitation for His Excellency President Putin to visit Brunei Darussalam. In reply, His Excellency President Putin accepted the invitation with gratitude on a date to be agreed by both sides.

After the bilateral plenary meeting, His Majesty and president Putin attended a Joint Press Conference. At the Press Conference, His Majesty began by expressing his appreciation to President Putin, Russian Government and People for the warm welcome and kind hospitality extended to him during the visit to Russia. The visit is a clear sign of friendship shared by Brunei Darussalam being a small nation and Russia, an enormous one.

His Majesty added that the people of Brunei Darussalam have had a great respect for President Putin ever since he visited Brunei Darussalam during the APEC Summit in 2000. This visit greatly strengthened the ties throughout the 1990s both bilaterally and with ASEAN.

His Majesty also welcomed Russia's contribution to the development of peace and stability both in Southeast Asia region, and to Asia as a whole. Therefore, one of the purposes of this visit was to reaffirm the very important role Russia played in the regional affairs, which now covers the whole spectrum of modern international cooperation.

His Majesty further expressed his pleasure that Brunei Darussalam has the opportunity to share views with Russia, a Permanent Member of the Security Council, on broadest and deepest perspective of world security.

His Majesty informed that His Majesty and President Putin felt that through understanding each other better, getting to know and respect each other more, appreciating the pleasures of human diversity and sharing each other's experience and expertise could provide people's confidence for future security.

His Majesty further informed the Press that besides looking at regional and international affairs, they also considered aspects of bilateral cooperation particularly on how the Russian government and people can participate in Brunei Darussalam's efforts to diversify its economy as well as in the areas such as trade, investment and tourism.

On arrival, His Majesty was welcomed by His Excellency the President. At the function, His Majesty delivered a titah in which His Majesty conveyed the warmest appreciation of the government and people of Brunei Darussalam for the wonderful welcome accorded by the Government and people of Russia.

His Majesty also stated that since Brunei Darussalam resumed its full independence in 1984, it has constantly looked outwards, with deep-felt desire to offer friendship, goodwill and respect to all members of the modern community of nations. It also wished to live and work together with people of all communities, faiths and backgrounds and played whatever part it could in helping to build a world based on these principles.

His Majesty congratulated President Putin and his government on the role they played in the conduct of world affairs today. His Majesty also expressed appreciation for their efforts to assist in the search for a just settlement to the many complex problems in Palestine and the Middle East. Similar appreciation was also expressed for the Russian's commitment to peace and

progress  in Asia, especially the support for the six-party talks with North Korea. His Majesty expressed happiness to see Russia as a partner in many Southeast Asian regional affairs.

His Majesty further expressed satisfaction with the progress made by both countries in developing relations which are characterized by friendship and mutual respect. In ensuring this relationship remained strong and lasting, His Majesty expressed the view for the two countries to find ways for people to get to know each other better, share experiences, deepen their understanding and appreciation of each other and enjoy the pleasures of true international goodwill.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince, and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, Tuesday consented to receive in audience the newly appointed Brunei Darussalam's Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman.

His Royal Highness received His Excellency Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adam bin Haji Ahmad at Istana Nurul Iman. His Excellency Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adam received his credentials from His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam on the 26th of last month. His Excellency was the former Director of the Islamic Dakwah Centre, the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, the official patron of the 2005 Federation of British International Schools in South and East Asia or FOBISSEA Primary Games, Tuesday consented to officially open the FOBISSEA Primary Games. The event took place at the Swimming Complex of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex.

Upon arrival at the complex, His Royal Highness was greeted by the Director and Principal of International School Brunei, Mr. David Taylor and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of International School Brunei, Awang Haji Ahmad bin Haji Isa. Also present were other senior government officials.

The FOBISSEA Primary Games are being hosted by the International School Brunei, and a total of eight international schools from Tokyo, Vietnam, Taipei, Malaysia, Korea and Brunei are participating in the three-day sports meet.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah also consented to present prizes to the winners of the 4 by 25 metres medley race. The FOBISSEA Primary Games is an annual event, which has attracted up to 280 students.

Rakyats and residents in the Temburong district have been urged to attend and participate in the get-together ceremony between His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddien Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in conjunction with His Majesty's 59th birthday anniversary celebration this year. The participation from all walks of life in the get-together ceremony will not only show their unity and understanding practised by the Temburong district communities but also to show their undivided loyalty to His Majesty.

This was stressed by the Minister of Home Affairs during the committee meeting for His Majesty's 59th Birthday Anniversary celebration for the Temburong district Tuesday. At the meeting, Pehin Dato Paduka Awang Haji Adnan in his capacity as the Chairman of National Executive Committee for His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-pertuan of Brunei Darussalam 59th Birthday anniversary celebration also urged for traditional activities such as top-spinning, boat race, river fiesta, 'Pesta Rakyat' and other activities should be reintroduced so that younger generation will together participate in those traditional activities.

This year, a total of twenty events have been arranged by the Temburong district committee for His Majesty's 59th Birthday anniversary celebration. Also present at the meeting were the Deputy Minister and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Dewa Pahlawan Awang Haji Dani and Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Yussof bin Haji Ismail.

Shortly after attending the meeting at the Temburong District Office premise, Yang Berhormat Pehin visited the district's Civic Centre in Bangar Town which has just completed its renovation recently.

The four orphaned siblings who are badly in need of an accommodation in Kampung Lurong Sikuna Tuesday were presented with their newly repaired house. The presentation of the house key was presented by the Brunei Muara District Officer, Dato Paduka Haji Awang Adnan bin Haji Hanafiah to their step-father, Awang Mohammad bin Bidin. The four orphaned siblings are under the care of Awang Mohammad.

The initiative of repairing the house took place last Friday was jointly conducted by the Brunei Muara District and the Kampung Lurong Sikuna Consultative Council. The attention to the family was given due to the financial income of Awang Mohammad which is not sufficient to cover the family expenses. Awang Mohammad bin Bidin expressed his gratitude and greatly appreciates assistance given to him. The house was previously owned by Awang Haji Agmat Salleh bin Haji Sijim. The family has been living in the house since last April.

A total of two thousand three hundred and fifteen participants will take part in the Seventh National Sports Festival to vie the one hundred gold medals through fifteen events. The festival will kick-off this Saturday night.

Out of the number, one thousand nine hundred and thirty-four are athletes while three hundred and eighty-one comprise of officials. The nine-day sports festival will be participated by ten teams comprising of Brunei Muara, Belait, Tutong, Temburong districts, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, the Royal Brunei Police force, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Shell Sendirian Berhad, Royal Brunei Airlines and the Brunei Banks Association.

The biennial event is one of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports' long term and continuous sport development projects. The opening ceremony of the festival will take place on Saturday night at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas at half past seven. Prior to that, a media conference for the upcoming National Sport Festival was held Tuesday and was attended by the Special Duties Officer at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Awang Haji Zamri who represents the Secretariat for the Sports festival.