BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE newly-appointed ambassador of the United States to Brunei made an introductory call on the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Commander on Thursday.

Craig Allen met with Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih Abdullah at the Bolkiah Garrison, where discussions focused on the warm bilateral ties between Brunei and the US.

Also present during the introductory call was Deputy RBAF Commander First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz Hj Mohd Tamit.

According to information from the Ministry of Defence’s (MinDef) website, the RBAF and US Armed Forces interact regularly through defence exercises, professional exchanges, goodwill visits and military courses that aim to bolster bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding.

MinDef added that initiatives to further strengthen the professional relationship between the two armed forces and countries were also discussed.

Allen presented his letter of credence in March to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, after he was sworn in as the US envoy to Brunei in January.

He previously served as the deputy assistant secretary for China at the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.

In a video greeting to the people of Brunei posted earlier this year, the ambassador spoke of the strong relationship between Brunei and the US that spans bilateral cooperation in trade, education and regional security among others.

“I will work with the government of Brunei to make that relationship even stronger,” said Allen.

The Brunei Times