Bandar Seri Begawan – Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has said the three-day official visit by Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao to his country would pave the way for greater cooperation between both states, The Brunei Times reported on its website on Sunday.

"Brunei Darussalam looks forward to working with Timor Leste in the areas of education, tourism and energy for the benefit of our people and the region as a whole," His Majesty the Sultan said Saturday night when he was delivering his speech during an official dinner hosted in honor of Timor Leste Prime Minister Gusmao and his delegation.

The people of Timor Leste can rest assured that Brunei supports its dream to become the 11th member state of ASEAN, His Majesty the Sultan said. In addition, Prime Minister Gusmao's commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations was valued by His Majesty and the prospect of setting up a Timor Leste Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan was welcomed.

On his part, Prime Minister Gusmao said "we feel welcome as friends and close neighbors and I am very pleased that this visit has strengthened the bonds of solidarity between our countries."

Prime Minister Gusmao arrived here Saturday afternoon for a three-day official visit, the first one to Brunei since Timor- Leste gained independence from Indonesia on May 20, 2002.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in year 2002, and are described as warm and cordial. In 2002, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the minister of foreign affairs and trade consented to attend the Celebration of the Independence Day of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in Dili.

The most recent development in the further strengthening of ties between both countries is the agreement from both sides on the establishment of the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste in Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei Darussalam has also been offering scholarships for a certain number of students from the republic to further their studies in the Sultanate.

Source: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=206920