{"id":100149,"date":"2017-04-28T00:15:27","date_gmt":"2017-04-28T04:15:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=100149"},"modified":"2017-04-28T00:15:27","modified_gmt":"2017-04-28T04:15:27","slug":"phl-brunei-forge-closer-ties-for-greater-peace-progress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2017\/04\/28\/phl-brunei-forge-closer-ties-for-greater-peace-progress\/","title":{"rendered":"PHL, Brunei forge closer ties for greater peace, progress"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>
The Philippines and Brunei on Thursday committed to further broaden and intensify cooperation in the areas of trade, security and peace. (PNA photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MANILA\u2014The Philippines and Brunei on Thursday committed to further broaden and intensify cooperation in the areas of trade, security and peace.<\/p>\n

In a joint statement following their successful bilateral meeting in Malaca\u00f1ang, President Rodrigo Duterte and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah said they have agreed to further strengthen their countries\u2019 close bilateral ties in order to achieve greater peace, progress and prosperity for their respective peoples.<\/p>\n

Among the issues agreed upon by the two leaders include strengthen the existing bilateral consultative mechanisms, heightened political engagements, increased collaboration in the campaign against illicit drugs, deeper bilateral trade and economic relations and the development of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) among others.<\/p>\n

Duterte said the Philippines welcome intensified interactions and exchange between the two governments.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe resolve to utilize the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation or JCBC mechanisms to chart future paths to review the progress that we have made,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese include waging a committed and principled campaign against terrorism, violent extremism and piracy at sea, peace and development in Mindanao remain a key area of convergence for Philippines and Brunei Darussalam,\u201d Duterte said as he recognized Brunei\u2019s role in the peace process in the southern Philippines.<\/p>\n

For his part, Bolkiah said the defense links between the Philippines and Brunei are closer than ever through the participation of the latter in the International Monitoring Team in Mindanao.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ongoing peace initiative will promise a prosperous future for your people and have a far-reaching impact upon our region,\u201d Bolkiah said.<\/p>\n

The Brunei leader also affirmed his country\u2019s support to President Duterte\u2019s war against illegal drugs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also look forward to our future collaboration in addressing issues on drugs. We believe that both sides will benefit from the exchanges of expertise and best practices in this area,\u201d Boliah said.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Philippines and Brunei expressed their shared commitment to the development of the BIMP-EAGA to further promote sustainable and inclusive growth as well as fostering stronger people-to-people linkages in the sub-region.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe support for a greater BIMP\u2013EAGA, the sub-regional grouping that can be a model for connectivity and for bringing inclusive development to areas that most need growth to transform lives and communities,\u201d Duterte said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also look forward to further opportunities for closer cooperation under the BIMP-EAGA. As envisioned for 2025, it is important for us to develop a resilient and competitive sub-region. I am confident that under your (Philippines) chairmanship we will be able to achieve our common goals for BIMP-EAGA,\u201d Bolkiah said.<\/p>\n

The two leaders also hailed the signing of two agreements that further intensify culture and economic ties between their respective countries.<\/p>\n

These are the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation and the Memorandum of Understanding on Halal Industry and Halal Export Development and Promotion.<\/p>\n

The agreement on cultural cooperation will promote cooperation in the field of culture and arts by enhancing institutional networking and people to people exchanges.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the MOU on Halal will foster cooperation in the field of Halal industry and Halal products development, reduce technical barriers to trade, facilitate bilateral relations between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam, particularly with respect to Halal export development and promotion programs.<\/p>\n

Duterte also took the opportunity to thank Bolkiah for Brunei\u2019s \u201cgracious hosting of Filipinos\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are living symbols of friendship between our people and the special care and concern of His Majesty,\u201d Duterte said.<\/p>\n

Bolkiah said the goodwill shown by the 23,000 Filipinos who are working and residing in Brunei underscored the strong partnership between the two countries through people-to-people exchanges.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are grateful for their contributions and continue to welcome them as close friends,\u201d Bolkiah said.<\/p>\n

Lastly, the two leaders emphasized the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and welcomed the progress in the consultations on the Framework of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.<\/p>\n

Duterte said ASEAN\u2019s and Bolkiah\u2019s support for the Chairmanship of ASEAN is most crucial and said he is looking forward to securing their backing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will work together to ensure that the principled position for the peaceful resolution of disputes will be articulated fully. This is a collective interest that must be upheld in the implementation of the Declaration of the Code of Conduct and greater progress on the Framework of Code of Conduct in South China Sea,” he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we seek peace, stability and security in the vital waters of South China Sea, we must remember that we have duties as responsible members of the international community which we must abide,\u201d Duterte said.<\/p>\n

Bolkiah said Brunei fully supports Duterte.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs close partners in ASEAN, we extend our full support for the Philippines ASEAN Chairmanship and look forward to a successful year under your leadership. We will continue working closely particularly as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN this year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thank President Duterte once again for hosting today\u2019s meeting and look forward to fruitful discussion at the Summit,\u201d Bolkiah said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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