Their Majesties grant audience to Vietnam President, spouse

HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha granted an audience to His Excellency Truong Tan Sang, President of Vietnam and spouse, Madam Mai Thi Hanh, yesterday.

According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Office yesterday, the President and his spouse were in the Sultanate on a three-day state visit.

Upon their arrival at the Istana Nurul Iman, the visiting dignitaries were welcomed by His Majesty and Her Majesty. Their Majesties together with His Excellency and spouse went up to the dais to receive the Salute of Honour, while the national anthems of Brunei Darussalam and Vietnam were played.

Following a 21-gun salute, both His Majesty and the Vietnamese president inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by members of the Royal Brunei Land Forces.

The ceremony proceeded with the president and Madam Mai Thi Hanh being introduced to members of the Royal Family, state dignitaries, cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Commissioner of Police, foreign envoys in Brunei Darussalam as well as senior officials from the Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MoFAT) along with their spouses.

His Majesty and Her Majesty were in turn, introduced to the members of the Vietnamese delegation which includes Deputy Prime Minister His Excellency Nguyen Thien Nhan, Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Pham Binh Minh and His Excellency Nguyen Truong Giang, Vietnam Ambassador to Brunei.

The audience ceremony took place at the Ceradi Laila Kencana.

Also present during the ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah. Also present were His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Her Royal Highness Pg Anak Isteri Pg Anak Hjh Zariah, His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hjh Faizah, His Royal Highness Prince Hj Jefri Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Masna, Ambassador-at-large at MoFAT, and Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Umi Kalthum Al-Islam.

Following the audience, His Majesty and the Vietnamese President proceeded to the Baitul Masyuarah for a meeting.

After the meeting His Majesty and the president witnessed the signing of an agreement between the Authority Monetary of Brunei Darussalam (AMBD) and the State Bank of Vietnam and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of oil and gas between Petroleum Brunei and Petrovietnam. For the signing of the agreement between AMBD and the State Bank of Vietnam, Brunei was represented by Dato Paduka Hj Rosli Hj Sabtu, Managing Director of AMBD. The State Bank of Vietnam was represented by its Deputy Governor, His Excellency Dang Thanh Binh.

For the signing of the (MoU) Petroleum Brunei was represented by its Managing Director, Dato Paduka Hj Matsatejo Sokiaw while Petrovietnam was represented by the President and Chief Executive Officer of Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, Do Van Hau.

Also present at the meeting and signing ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah and His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah.

Earlier at the Brunei International Airport, the Vietnamese President and spouse were welcomed by Minister of Education Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Abu Bakar Hj Apong as Minister-in-Attendance and spouse Datin Paduka Hjh Jahrah Hj Mohamad.

Some 3,000 students lined up along the main road towards the main entrance of the Istana Nurul Iman waving flags of both countries to welcome the State visit of the President of Vietnam.

The Brunei Times