Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah meets HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday. Sheikh Sabah is the first Kuwaiti Amir to officially visit Brunei since the country gained independence in 1984

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Sultanate of Brunei and the State of Kuwait yesterday signed four memorandums of understanding, one accord, and a protocol related to cooperation in education, tourism, and diplomacy. The signing ceremony was attended by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, who earlier held official talks on boosting bilateral ties and issues of mutual concern, at Istana Nurul Iman presidential palace.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- Sabah, Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, and his Bruneian counterpart, Lim Jock Seng, signed MoUs on cooperation in higher education and scientific research, tourism coordination, training of staff of the two countries’ foreign ministries and establishing a joint cooperation commission.

The two sides also signed a single agreement on exempting holders of diplomatic passports from the two countries from entry visas and a protocol modifying the previously-inked agreement on averting double taxation and evading tax liabilities. Kuwait Ambassador to Brunei Dr Fahad Meshari Al-Dhafiri, held a luncheon in honor of His Highness the Amir and his accompanying delegation.

Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah has expressed satisfaction on the outcome of the 2nd Asia Cooperation Dialogue Summit (ACD). This summit was distinguished with “wisdom and efficiency and substantial success,” His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad said in a cable he addressed to Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, following His Highness’ address to the Asian summit and on his visit to the nation.

Fruits of the summit will contribute to bolstering the existing cooperation among the Asian States and achieve further “merger” among them in various spheres for service of common goals, His Highness the Amir said in the cable to the Thai premier. Extending gratitude to the Thai authorities for the warm hospitality, Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad also expressed satisfaction on the good order and preparation for the convention. He also expressed good wishes to the friendly people of Thailand, hoping to see further elevation of the distinguished ties between Kuwait and Thailand. His Highness the Amir, shortly earlier, wrapped up his visit to Thailand during which he addressed the Asian summit. — Agencies