BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

HIS Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, co-chaired the ASEAN-India Post Ministerial Conference with his counterpart General (Rtd) Vijay Kumar Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs.

Held at the Putera World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the meeting took place on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM), said a statement issued by the Brunei’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade yesterday.

The Post Ministerial Conference is among the dialogue and cooperation frameworks initiated by ASEAN, which help contribute to enhancing regional dialogue and accelerating regional integration, the regional bloc’s secretariat said in its website.

The ASEAN Leaders set the target of US$100 billion by 2015 for ASEAN-India trade during the 10th India-Summit in November 2012. With the economic potential of closer linkages, both sides recognised the opportunities for deepening trade and investments, and agreed to negotiate a framework agreement to pave the way for the establishment of an ASEAN-India Free Trade Area, the ASEAN secretariat said.

Before co-chairing the ASEAN-India Post Ministerial Conference, His Royal Highness also attended the ASEAN-Japan and ASEAN-US Post Ministerial Conferences yesterday morning.

Still at the Putera World Trade Centre, His Royal Highness held two separate bilateral meetings with China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Borge Brende, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Meanwhile, it said Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Zariah attended the Spouses Programme, which included visits to the Islamic Art Museum.

Last night His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness attended the gala dinner for ministers and spouses hosted by Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato Sri Anifah Hj Aman, the statement said.

The 48th AMM and its Related Meetings take place from August 1-6.

The Brunei Times