|
|
His Majesty concludes his
four-day official visit to Russia |
| |
 |
|
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah Mu’izzaddien Waddaulah, Sultan And Yang Dipertuan of Brunei
Darussalam wound up His Majesty’s four-day official visit to Russia with
a stop in Saint Petersburg, one of Russia’s important cities. Saint
Petersburg was formerly known as Leningrad. The first programme in the
City of Saint Petersburg was a
|
|
| |
working
luncheon hosted by its Governor, His Excellency Valentina Matviyenko.
The function took place at one of the city’s well known restaurants.
Prior to the luncheon, His Majesty and the His Excellency exchanged
views of mutual concern.
|
|
| |
In the afternoon, His Majesty the
Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam continued his itinerary
by visiting a well-known museum in Saint Petersburg. Upon arrival at the
Hermitage Museum, His Majesty was greeted by its Director, Mr. Petrovsky.
The museum houses most of Russia’s valuable heritage and treasures. It
also has a collection of unique arts. |
|
 |
|
| |
From a collection of
225 paintings in 1974, today the museum has a collection of up to two
million pieces including sculptures and traditional costumes. Hermitage
Museum which was built in 1842, was open to the public in 1852. At the
end of the visit, His Majesty consented to sign the visitors’ book and
receive a souvenir from the museum’s director.
|
|
| |
 |
|
While in Saint Petersburg, His Majesty also consented to visit one of
the historical places known as Peterhof. His Majesty was welcomed upon
arrival by the Director of Peterhof Palace, Mr. Vadim Znamenov. Peterhof
Palace was initiated in 1714 by Peter the Great, and the palace was
first meant for the Russian Emperor’s residence. Now it becomes a
well-known palace and a park museum complex.
|
|
| |
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah Mu’izzaddien Waddaulah was invited to watch a ballet at
Mariinsky Theatre. St Petersburg produces Russia’s best dancers. His
Majesty was welcomed upon arrival by the Deputy Governor of St.
Petersburg, His Excellency Sergei Tarasov. Ballet is a culture for the
Russians.
|
|
 |
|
| |
 |
|
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam left
Saint Petersburg at the end of his four-day official visit to the
Russian Federation. Before His Majesty left for the airport, the doa was
read by the State Mufti, Pehin Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Abdul
Aziz bin Juned.
|
|
| |
His Majesty’s visit to the
Federation of Russia was at the invitation of His Excellency President
Putin. The visit is a landmark for the bilateral relations between the
two countries, as it was the first official visit since both countries
established diplomatic relations. Present at the airport to bid farewell
to His Majesty were the Deputy Governor of St. Petersburg, His
Excellency Sergei Tarasov and other senior officials. Also at the
airport were Brunei Darussalam’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation,
His Excellency Janin Erih, and the Russian Ambassador to Brunei
Darussalam, His Excellency Alexander Alexeevich Karchava. |
|
|
|
|
His Majesty congratulates
UK on the Queen’s birthday |
| |
His Majesty
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddien Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang
Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam expresses his satisfaction with the warm
and friendly relations and deep understanding that have so long been
established between Brunei Darussalam and the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland. His Majesty wishes that this will be
maintained and further enhanced in the future for the mutual benefits of
the two countries and peoples. These expressions are contained in His
Majesty’s messages of congratulations to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the
Second, the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland and the Right Honourable Tony Blair, the Prime Minister on the
occasion of the Queen’s birthday.
|
|
| |
His Majesty
the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam also hopes that Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second would always remain in good health
and happiness, and for the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland to always enjoy continued progress and prosperity.
|
|
| |
At the same
time, in a similar congratulatory message to the Right Honourable Tony
Blair, the Prime Minister, His Majesty congratulates the Right
Honourable and the Government and people of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland on the occasion of the Queen’s birthday.
His Majesty also wishes the Right Honourable Tony Blair his continued
good health and happiness, and for the people of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland continued progress and prosperity.
|
|
| |
Meanwhile, His Royal
Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has
also sent a congratulatory message to the Right Honourable Jack Straw,
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on the occasion of the
Queen’s birthday.
|
|
| |
In the message, His
Royal Highness extended his respect, congratulations and best wishes to
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family, and to the
government and people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland. His Royal Highness also expresses his congratulations
to the reappointment of the Right Honourable Jack Straw and looks
forward to continuing both working together to strengthen the
traditional close friendship and cooperation between the two countries. |
|
|
|
|
Minister calls for more
efforts in local innovations and creations of ICT products |
| |
His Majesty’ Government has allocated a
large amount of money for the development and progress of ICT in the
country. With such a commitment, the country has achieved ICT
infrastructure it can be proud of. The Minister of Communications laid
the emphasis when he officiated at the ICT Roadshow in conjunction with
World |
|
 |
|
| |
Telecommunication
Day 2005. Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong said
the people in this country are quite lucky to have an infrastructure and
national education system which give the students opportunities from the
primary school level to learn English language, a communication medium
that is commonly used in the information technology.
|
|
| |
 |
|
According to the Minister, there are
developed countries in this region which are facing problems in
increasing the use of internet, as part of its population could not
speak English. The Minister of Communications also emphasised that if
all parties intend to contribute together towards the development of ICT
in this country, they should not only bring
into |
|
| |
the country the
ready-made technology from abroad. Efforts should be enhanced to
increase the capability of local creations and to promote it into a
marketable product. This effort would not only generate local innovation
and creativity but would also open up job opportunities.
|
|
| |
Also present at the ICT Roadshow was
the Minister of Development, Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Awang Abdullah. The
three-day ICT Roadshow takes place at the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
Foundation Complex in the capital. It carries the theme, “Creating an
Equitable Information Society: Time for Action”. The roadshow among
other things highlights |
|
 |
|
| |
the latest progress
and development of ICT in the country and ICT-related facilities
currently available in the local and international markets. The roadshow
is being organised by the Authority for Info-communications Technology
Industry of Brunei Darussalam. |
|
|
| |
|
ASEM’s Cultural Plan of
Action aims to upgrade cultural exchanges and heritage |
| |
Brunei Darussalam and its
Asia-Europe counterparts have discussed issues to upgrade the
effectiveness of Cultural Exchange and Heritage from various aspects
such as Economy and Community Development, Culture Industry, Cultural
Tourism and Development at the Second Asia-Europe Culture Ministers
Meeting which ended on the 8th of this month. The meeting took place in
Paris, France. Brunei Darussalam was represented at the meeting by the
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Retired Major-General Pehin Dato
Seri Pahlawan Haji Awang Mohammad and the Permanent Secretary at the
Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, Awang Haji Jemat bin Haji Ampal as
well as other senior officials. The delegation returned home late
yesterday evening.
|
|
| |
At the end of the meeting, a Chairman’s
Statement was released containing the Cultural Plan of Action. Among the
main contents of the action plan is an option for ASEM Cultural
Ministers to hold a continuous meeting in implementing plans which have
been agreed to during a meeting in Beijing, in 2003 and in Paris in
2005. They also need to appoint Cultural Permanent Points of Contact as
a bridge to connect the administrative agencies and experts.
|
|
| |
The meeting was attended by thirty-six
countries including the European Commission and Asia-Europe Foundation
as well as members of the civil community. The theme of this year’s
meeting was “Cultural Diversity: Opportunities and Challenges – ASEM’s
Long Term Plan”. The third Asia-Europe Culture Ministers Meeting will be
held in 2007 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. |
|
|
|
|
Brunei free from Bird
Flu, assures Agriculture Department |
| |
Brunei Darussalam
has been and is free from Avian Flu or Bird Flu. The Department of
Agriculture says it is always monitoring chicken farms in the country to
ensure good farm practices are being carried out and that samples are
always taken for bacterial and virus analysis.
|
|
| |
In response to
the media release by a foreign news agency with regards to the
occurrence of Bird Flu in Brunei Darussalam, the department wishes to
clarify that the news reported on Thursday by RTB was in fact an
‘exercise’ or a ‘dry run’, which needed to be conducted to measure the
competence of the team to combat the occurrence of the disease. |
|
|
|
|
Dikir and Nasyid
competition marks RBAF’s 44th anniversary |
| |
The Royal Brunei
Armed Forces Friday night held a Dikir and Nasyid competition as part of
celebrations marking the 44th anniversary of the forces’ formation. The
Ministry of Defence team emerged as the champion in the Dikir category,
beating five other dikir teams.
|
|
| |
Meanwhile, the
Support Services of Royal Brunei Armed Forces was the champion in the
Nasyid category. A total of 12 teams took part in the competition.
Prizes were presented by the Acting Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed
Forces, Brigadier General Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yusof.
|
|
|
|