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SINGAPORE: Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan visited Brunei on Monday (March 22), after which he will travel to Malaysia and Indonesia.
Dr. Balakrishnan had an audience with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and was invited to lunch by Brunei’s Second Foreign Minister Erywan Pehin Yusof, Singapore’s Foreign Ministry (MFA) said in a press release.
Brunei is currently president of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Brunei’s Second Foreign Minister Erywan Pehin Yusof discussed ASEAN’s role in regional cooperation under the Brunei presidency during their meeting on March 22, 2021 ( Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore).
During their meeting, Dr. Balakrishnan and Mr. Erywan discussed ASEAN’s role in regional cooperation under the Brunei presidency.
They agreed that the current situation in Myanmar was of deep concern and urged all parties in Myanmar to seek a peaceful solution through constructive dialogue, MFA said.
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 traveling to Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
Dr. Balakrishnan is scheduled for a two-day visit to Malaysia, where he will be received by his counterpart Hishammuddin Hussein, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said.
The two ministers are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international affairs.
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They will also explore post-COVID-19 collaboration, including reciprocal vaccination certification, that will benefit both countries, the ministry said in a press release.
During his visit, Dr. Balakrishnan also plans to visit Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and meet with various high-level ministers.
