At the invitation of U Thein Sein, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam His Majesty Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah paid a three-day State Visit to Myanmar from 24 to 26 March 2014. His Majesty the Sultan paid a goodwill visit to Myanmar in 1998 for the first time, and this is the second visit. President U Thein Sein paid his first goodwill State Visit to Brunei in December 2012 and attended the ASEAN Summits held in Brunei in April and October 2013.
On 24 March, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam was warmly welcomed at the Nay Pyi Taw International Airport by U Wunna Maung Lwin, Union Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Dr. Aung Kyaw Myat, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology(Minister-In-Attendance), Daw Yin Yin Myint, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to Brunei Darussalam and senior officials.
On 25 March, His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, and the delegation was accorded the official welcoming ceremony on the lawns of the Presidential Palace, in Nay Pyi Taw. His Majesty, accompanied by President U Thein Sein, inspected the Guard of Honor and was introduced to the Myanmar Cabinet Ministers and senior officials on the lawn. His Majesty, in turn, introduced his members of delegation including Minister II of Finance Ministry, Minister II of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces to President U Thein Sein. Next, the bilateral talks were held at the Credentials Hall where leaders of both countries discussed cooperation in energy and agriculture sectors between the two countries, prospects of Myanmar’s rice export to Brunei, and the prevailing situation in diverse societies in Myanmar. At the talks, the leaders of both countries agreed to cooperate to promote peace and stability in the ASEAN region.
On the Rakhine issue, the Sultan of Brunei expressed that it was the internal affairs of Myanmar and that Brunei established diplomatic relations on 21 September 1993 with Myanmar. Being ASEAN member countries, both countries attach importance to strengthening friendly relations.
His Majesty and party later visited the Defence Services Museum in Zeyathiri Township. Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by the Chief of Staff of Ministry of Defence of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, General Hla Htay Win and shown around displays at the booths of Defence Services (Army), (Navy) and (Air). Before leaving the museum, His Majesty signed the guest book and received a memento presented by General Hal Htay Win. In return, His Majesty presented a plaque in commemoration of his visit to the museum.
In the late afternoon, His Majesty the Sultan and party, were shown around by President U Thein Sein the 500-acre model crop plantations in Pobbathiri Township in Nay Pyi Taw. At the integrated farm, President U Thein Sein guided His Majesty the Sultan and party round the thriving organic vegetables plantations. They also visited organic crops and fruits plantations and pineapple plantation on 900-acre Setsetyo model Farm. His Majesty and party were hosted a high tea by the President at the farm.
In the evening, President U Thein Sein hosted a State Banquet in honor of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam at the Presidential Palace during which the Brunei delegation was entertained with Myanmar songs and dances. The President and the Sultan were then entertained with the cultural performances at the Theatre Hall. They presented floral baskets to the artistes and posed for a documentary photo with them.
Also present at the State Banquet were Vice-Presidents Dr Sai Mauk Kham and U Nyan Tun, together with Union ministers, deputy ministers, Ambassadors of Myanmar and Brunei Darussalam and officials concerned.
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On 26 March, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam concluded a three-day State Visit and left Nay Pyi Taw International Airport at 12 noon. Present at the airport to bid farewell to His Majesty were U Wunna Maung Lwin , Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , Minister in Attendance Deputy Minister Dr. Aung Kyaw Myat, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ambassador of Myanmar to Brunei Darussalam Daw Yin Yin Myint, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Myanmar Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Colonel (Rtd) Dato Paduka Hj Abdu’r Rahmani bin Dato Paduka Hj Basir and senior officials of Myanmar.