BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, June 4 (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): Brunei values the importance of Asean and will continue to welcome opportunities for defence cooperation and collaboration towards regional peace, security and stability.
This was said by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Halbi Mohd Yussof during the United States (US)-Southeast Asian Nations Multilateral Meeting on the margins of International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) 20th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) where attending defence ministers and representatives exchanged views on security issues of common concern.
The meeting was chaired by the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin III who underlined the US’ continued commitment to supporting and engaging its partners in Southeast Asia to increase and address common challenges.
Awang Halbi led the Ministry of Defence’s (MinDef) delegation to the SLD from June 2 to 4 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore.
Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Muhammad Haszaimi bin Bol Hassan was also in attendance.
The SLD hosted more than 550 delegates from defence and security establishments of more than 40 nations to discuss key regional security issues and initiatives.
The minister also attended ministerial reception hosted by Singaporean Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and keynote address by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the SLD opening dinner where the premier shared Australia’s strategic outlook and role in the evolving regional security environment.
Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi also had a bilateral meeting with Dr Ng where the ministers reaffirmed the bilateral defence relationship between the two countries.
Both sides also acknowledged the regular exchanges and close cooperation between their defence and military establishments. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
