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His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal
Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and
Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in a titah
expressed pleasure with the important milestone
achieved in ASEAN’s ties with Korea. His
Majesty made the titah during the first session
of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea, ASEAN-ROK,
Commemorative Summit held Monday at the
International Convention Centre, Jeju.
His Majesty said that excellent
progress and deepening of relations made by the
two East Asian Dialogue Partners had not only
benefited both sides but had also greatly
contributed to the maintenance of peace,
stability and prosperity in the East Asian
Region. In ensuring a stronger people to
people interaction, His Majesty emphasised
greater educational and cultural exchanges
particularly those involving youth, academia,
cultural experts and media practitioners.
His Majesty also stressed the need for the
ASEAN-ROK to continue working together in
combating infectious diseases, in particular the
recent outbreak of Influenza A H1N1. The
Monarch also noted the ASEAN-Korea Youth
Exchange Programme, which had run for the last
eleven years, and suggested an introduction of
similar projects involving educators.
In acknowledging the efforts and
commitments of Korea to making the ASEAN-ROK
dialogue relations as one which is a lasting
partnership based on friendship and respect for
one another, His Majesty shared valuable ideas
on how to elevate the regional cooperation
further. In this regard, His Majesty
underscored the strategic value of economic
partnership as illustrated by the increased
two-way trade volume. In welcoming the
completion of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area,
AKFTA negotiations, His Majesty stated such
development would play a pivotal role in
restoring confidence as well as stimulate
regional growth especially during these
difficult times.
Towards strengthening
collaboration in environmental protection,
especially in safeguarding the region’s diverse
eco-system, His Majesty informed the Koreans
about the Heart of Borneo Initiatives undertaken
by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei to preserve
the tropical rainforest and offered to share
with the Koreans, the Kuala Belalong Field
Studies Centre as a potential venue for research
on preserving the natural surroundings. His
Majesty hoped that this would complement the
Korean’s initiatives in developing environmental
friendly technologies.
On regional security, His Majesty
expressed concern with the recent developments
on the Korean Peninsula and encouraged the
resumption of the Six Party Talks and supported
the Republic of Korea’s efforts to achieve a
long lasting solution. Finally, His
Majesty commended the Korean Government for the
establishment of the ASEAN-Korea Centre and
recognised that the centre would contribute to
carrying out activities which would focus on
enhancing skills and knowledge, especially in
areas such as ICT and Bio-Technology.
During the session, the leaders
of ASEAN and Korea reviewed their Dialogue
Relations and of strengthening cooperative
relations in the political and security,
economic and social-cultural fields. The
session was chaired by His Excellency Lee
Myung-bak, President of the Republic of Korea,
as co-chair of the summit. Before the
commencement of the session, His Majesty joined
other leaders in a group photograph.
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