BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, Mr Rob Fenn, recently highlighted the importance of Asean and its member states to the UK in his blog.
With the recent handover of the Asean Chairmanship from Cambodia to Brunei Darussalam, he blogged that the UK is fascinated by Asean and wants to strengthen relations with its member states because they value all 10 relationships, and think that as partners for the UK, all ten will be better off if their Asean project flourishes.
Mr Fenn also cited recent visits by UK dignitaries to the region. “Foreign Secretary William Hague’s visit to Brunei in April; and a follow-up visit by another FCO Minister, Hugo Swire, next month. Witness the Foreign Secretary’s attendance at the ASEM Summit in Laos this month, when he reopens the British Embassy in Vientiane – another signal of our commitment to each and every country in this region. (We now have a diplomatic mission in all Asean capitals.)”
Mr Fenn went on to write: “2013 is going to be a good year for Asean and a good year for Brunei. Jam privileged to have a ring-side seat … 2013 will also be a good year for the UK. Asearis steady progress towards an Economic Community (AEC) will boost trade in both directions. Asean’s highly educated and increasingly self-confident population will want more of the things which the UK’s innovative economy produces. And Asean’s member states will see that the UK rejoices in their success – the true test of friendship.”
To read the rest of the High Commissioner’s blog, visit www.blogs.fco.gov.uk/robfenn