Vivian Balakrishnan visits Brunei before travelling to Malaysia and Indonesia
Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan had an audience with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on Mar 22, 2021. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore)
SINGAPORE: Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan visited Brunei on Monday (Mar 22), after which he will travel to Malaysia and Indonesia.
Dr Balakrishnan had an audience with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and was hosted to lunch by Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Erywan Pehin Yusof, said the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in a press statement.
Brunei is currently chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
During their meeting, Dr Balakrishnan and Mr Erywan discussed ASEAN’s role in regional cooperation under Brunei’s chairmanship.
They agreed that the ongoing situation in Myanmar was of deep concern, and urged all sides in Myanmar to seek a peaceful solution through constructive dialogue, said MFA.
They also discussed ASEAN’s support for Myanmar’s return to the path of national reconciliation, peace and stability, the ministry added.
During his trip, Dr Balakrishnan also reaffirmed the special and unique relationship between Singapore and Brunei, and extended an invitation from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah to visit Singapore soon.
Dr Balakrishnan will return to Singapore from Brunei before travelling to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
Dr Balakrishnan is scheduled for a two-day visit in Malaysia, where he will be hosted by his counterpart Hishammuddin Hussein, Malaysia's Foreign Affairs Ministry said.
The two ministers are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international issues.
READ: COVID-19 - Johor hopes talks on reopening Malaysia-Singapore borders will resume
READ: IN FOCUS - How COVID-19 has disrupted the close links between Singapore and Johor
They will also explore post-COVID-19 collaboration, including reciprocal vaccination certification, which will benefit both countries, said the ministry in a press release.
During his visit, Dr Balakrishnan is also scheduled to call on Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and hold meetings with several senior ministers.
