BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

HIS Majesty, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday arrived at the Vnukovo-2 Airport in Moscow to begin a six-day official visit to the Russian Federation. It is His Majesty's second official visit to Moscow.

The monarch is accompanied by Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim Mazhar.

Their Majesties and Her Royal Highness are also accompanied by the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah , His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul 'Azim, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Wakeel, Her Royal Highness Princess Muta-Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Muntaqim, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum and other members of the Royal family.

Present at the airport to receive Their Majesties and Her Royal Highness was Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexey N Borodavkin and other Russian senior officials.Also at the airport were Russian Ambassador-designate to Brunei Darussalam Victor Seleznez, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Russia Dr Emran Bahar and his spouse, Ambassadors of Asean countries in Moscow and officers of the Brunei Embassy in Moscow. The official visit is made at the invitation of President Dmitry Medvedev to further enhance relations between Brunei and Russia.During the visit, His Majesty will meet several Russian dignitaries and attend a luncheon hosted by President Dmitry Medvedev.

His Majesty will also visit the Special Centre for Training and Preparing Special Troops at Chkalovskiy.

Brunei and Russia has established diplomatic relations in 1991. The two have bilateral cooperation covering areas such as trade and investment, defence and education.

His Majesty's first official visit to Russia was in June 2005. Former President Vladimir Putin, in a press statement at the time said: "Russian companies could take part in the construction of facilities for the metallurgical industry in Brunei, as well as electricity production facilities, including facilities using renewable and non-traditional energy sources."

The former Russian President also saw good prospects for military-technical cooperation and investment opportunities, including investment in third countries. "We will make concrete proposals for expanding our contacts in science, education, medicine and the active development of tourism," he said.

The Brunei Times