MFA Press Statement: 15th Singapore-Brunei Exchange Visit, 27 to October 2013

The 15th Singapore-Brunei Exchange Visit (SBEV) continued today with the launch in Singapore of His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah’s latest book, Association: A Part of the World No Longer Apart. The book launch, which took place this afternoon, was organised by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Association charts the development of ASEAN, and His Royal Highness’ personal experiences as the longest-serving ASEAN Foreign Minister. Former President S R Nathan officiated the launch. The event was attended by former political officeholders with close personal ties to His Royal Highness, including former Ministers for Foreign Affairs Professor S Jayakumar and Mr Wong Kan Seng. Members of the Diplomatic Corps and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also attended the launch.

Later in the afternoon, His Royal Highness was hosted to tea by President Tony Tan Keng Yam, who also met with the Brunei delegation. The delegation then proceeded to Gardens by the Bay for a Learning Journey visit, hosted by Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli, and Minister of State for Defence and National Development Dr Maliki Osman.

The SBEV programme concluded this evening with an official dinner hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. DPM Teo and His Royal Highness highlighted the importance of building on the foundation of the excellent ties between both countries to broaden and deepen cooperation and strengthen the links between the next generation of leaders. Both leaders also reaffirmed the need to ensure that the close and unique partnership between Singapore and Brunei continued into the future.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
28 OCTOBER 2013