BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Wednesday, 27 February 2013 – Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of France forged closer relations during the 10th Joint Defence Working Committee (JDWC) Meeting. The Meeting was held at the Rizqun International Hotel, Gadong from 25 – 27 February 2013.
The Meeting was Co-Chaired by Haji Azhar bin Haji Ahmad, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Technology) at the Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam and Rear Admiral (RADM) Pascal Ausseur, Director for Asia and Pacific, Directorate for International Development (DI), Direction Generale De l’ Armement (DGA), France. Also in attendance was the Ambassador Designate of France to Brunei Darussalam; His Excellency Jean-Yves Berthault, senior military personnel and civilian officers from both countries, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also the Royal Brunei Technical Services (RBTS), Brunei Darussalam.
Prior to the Meeting, the delegation made a working visit to the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) Headquarters in Muara and made a courtesy call on the Deputy Commander of RBN; Colonel (L) Pg Norazmi bin Pg Haji Muhammad. In the afternoon, the delegation had the opportunity to meet the Chief Executive Officer of RBTS; Hjh Rosmawati binti Hj Manaf during their visit to the RBTS. In the evening, His Excellency Jean-Yves Berthault hosted dinner for the Defence Executive Committee (DEC) members and senior military officials of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the Ministry of Defence at his residence.
During the JDWC Meeting, among the agenda discussed was the review of the Memorandum of Understanding which encompassed the scope of cooperation and also exploring other potential future bilateral defence cooperation. Both countries also exchanged views on France operational deployment in the region with Brunei Darussalam sharing its preparations for the first multilateral ADMM-Plus on Humanitarian and Disaster Relief/Military Medicine (HADR/MM) exercise scheduled to be held from 17 – 20 June 2013. Other matter included in the agenda of the Meeting was the hosting of the 4th Brunei International Defence Exhibition (BRIDEX) this year, from 3 – 7 December, co-organised by the RBTS.
RADM Pascal Ausseur also made separate courtesy calls to the Permanent Secretary (Administration and Finance); Hjh Suriyah binti Hj Umar and the Permanent Secretary (Defence Policy and Development); Col (Rtd) Pg Dato Paduka Hj Azmansham bin Pg Hj Mohamad. Earlier, RADM Pascal Ausseur also met with the Deputy Commander of RBAF; Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Brigadier General Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah.
The JDWC between Brunei Darussalam and France was established through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation between the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the Government of the Republic of France on 25 February 1999. The MoU serves as a framework to promote defence cooperation especially in the field of defence equipment between Brunei Darussalam and France.
