PH, Brunei vow stronger ties for peace, stability in Asean, Indo-Pacifc

MANILA, Philippines —President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to further strengthen the bilateral ties between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam to sustain peace and stability not just in Southeast Asia but also in the Indo-Pacific region.

Speaking at the state banquet hosted by His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in his honor on Tuesday night, Marcos said the neighboring countries have maintained its close relationship amid «many global challenges for which Brunei and the Philippines have very many common interests.»

«And so, it is important that we continue to work together on bilateral basis, also together with Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) with BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area) in all of these methods by which we can plan together for our own communities, for the peace and the stability of the region,» he said.

HANDSHAKE DIPLOMACY President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah seal their cooperation with a handshake during a state banquet hosted by His Majesty in the Philippine leader's honor on May 28, 2024. Marcos said the neighboring countries have maintained close ties amid 'many global challenges for which Brunei and the Philippines have very many common interests.” Marcos was in Brunei for a two-day state visit. PHOTO BY THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

«And not only for Asia, but for the Indo-Pacific as well. It is important that those partnerships now be brought back into the modern world. And I look forward for this state visit to once more give an added impetus and warmth and inspiration to the relationship between our two countries,» he added.

The President and the Sultan witnessed the signing of three memoranda of understanding (MoU) and one letter of intent (LoI) between the Philippines and Brunei meant to further strengthen the two countries' ties on maritime cooperation, tourism, and agriculture, among others.

The Chief Executive said the signing of the MoUs and the LoI was a significant step by the two countries.

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Marcos wrapped up his two-day state visit to the sultanate on Wednesday with a series of meetings with different business