Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof co-chairs the 2nd meeting of the Joint Committee for Bilateral Cooperation between Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam (JCBC-2) on September 7, 2022. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

The Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof warmly welcomed Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son for his official visit to Brunei and co-chairing JCBC-2, said the visit of Minister Bui Thanh Son is of great significance as it has taken place right in the context that the two countries are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1992 - 2022) and have just reopened and maintained great efforts to restore socio-economic development after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The overview of the 2nd meeting of the Joint Committee for Bilateral Cooperation between Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam. (Photo: WVR/Nguyen Hong)

Minister Bui Thanh Son thanked Minister Dato Erywan for the warm hostability extended for the Vietnamese delegation and emphasized that the holding of JCBC-2 face-to-face meeting demonstrates the determination of the two countries to futher develop the Vietnam - Brunei Comprehensive Partnership in a in a more pragmatic, intensive and extensive manner. The Minister congratulated Brunei on its important achievements in controlling pandemic and foreign affairs, especially its successful assumption of the role of ASEAN Chair in 2021.

The two sides agreed that Vietnam - Brunei relations continue to develop remarkably since the first meeting of JCBC in 2017. In particular, the upgrade of bilateral relations into a Comprehensive Partnership on the occasion of the State visit to Vietnam by the Sultan of Brunei in March 2019 marked an important milestone, creating a premise for the deepening of Vietnam - Brunei relations in various fields.

Political cooperation and exchange of delegations at all levels were effectively maintained. Economic cooperation has developed strongly, exceeding the trade revenue target of USD 500 million set for 2025 by the leaders of the two countries. Cooperation in other important fields such as defense and security, agriculture, oil and gas, education, people-to-people exchanges has made many positive developments, bringing pragmatic benefits to both sides.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof signed the Minutes of the Meeting of the Joint Committee for Bilateral Cooperation between Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam (JCBC-2) on September 7, 2022. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Regarding the cooperation in the coming time, the two sides agreed to accelerate the building of an Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Partnership in the period of 2023-2027; arrange the high-ranking visits by leaders at all levels; continue to actively implement signed agreements; extend the MOU on agriculture and fisheries; coordinate responses to traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including combating transnational organized crime, cybercrime, counter-terrorism, and promote the negotiation of cooperation documents in areas such as transfering of the sentenced persons and crime prevention.

The two sides will encourage their businesses to step up connectivity, diversify the supply and trade structure and seek investment opportunities, especially in potential areas like agriculture-fishery, forestry, energy-oil-gas and processing industry, contributing to ensuring food security and production chain.

To promote balanced trade, Vietnamese FM suggested Brunei facilitate the penetration of Vietnamese goods, especially rice and agricultural and aquatic products that meet Halal standards, into the market.

The Minister expressed his hope that Brunei will soon ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), contributing to creating cooperation opportunities between the two countries.

The Brunei Minister highly valued Vietnam’s potential and experience in agriculture, aquaculture and construction, and asked Vietnam to share its experience and encourage businesses of the two countries to cooperate in these fields.

The two Ministers also consented to step up cooperation in education and people-to-people exchange between the two countries and within the framework of ASEAN, diversify tourism activities, and encourage carriers to consider opening more direct air routes, and promote cooperation between universities.

Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two Foreign Ministers highly appreciated the close and effective coordination between the two countries at regional and international forums, especially in ASEAN and the United Nations, contributing to strengthening the solidarity and central role of ASEAN, as well as maintaining peace and stability and promoting cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The two sides shared their views and agreed to continue to closely cooperate, promote ASEAN's common principles and positions in relations with partners, as well as in Myanmar and East Sea issues, and step up the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and closely coordinate in negotiating an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

At the end of the meeting, the two Ministers signed the Minutes of the Meeting and agreed to hold the 3rd meeting in Vietnam at an appropriate time.

In the afternoon of the same day, the two Ministers attended the opening ceremony of the Viet Nam – Brunei Trade, Culture, Food and Arts Fair.