OREANDA-NEWS. July 2, 2009. Talks took place on July 1 between Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov and Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the State of Brunei Darussalam, who is in the Russian Federation on an official visit.

Discussions centered mainly on ways to develop further Russian-Brunei relations, including political dialogue, the reinforcement of the juridical base, reinvigoration of economic, commercial and investment ties, the consolidation of contacts between the business communities of Russia and Brunei and the expansion of humanitarian, scientific and educational exchanges.

In discussing foreign policy problems the mutual striving was reaffirmed to deepen the partnership in world affairs on the basis of the similarity of Russia and Brunei’s views on key problems of contemporaneity. A common opinion was expressed in favor of strengthening multilateral approaches in international relations, shaping an equitable democratic world pattern based on strict observance of the UN Charter and the norms of international law and providing equal security and equal conditions for all states.

The importance was stressed of further joint actions by the world community to overcome the global financial and economic crisis and to create a new, more transparent and effective international financial system.

The ministers discussed in detail the situation in the Asia-Pacific region, including the prospects for deepening the two states’ interaction within APEC and the Russia-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership, with the Russian side accentuating its intention to develop cooperation with the Association and willingness to join such multilateral structures as the Asia-Europe forum and East Asia Summits.

Bolkiah invited Lavrov to pay an official visit to the State of Brunei Darussalam at a convenient time for him. The invitation was accepted with gratitude.