25 July 2016 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. met with H.E. Pehin Orang Dato Lim Jock Seng, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam prior to the formal start of the 49th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Vientiane, Laos PDR on July 23.
Pehin Dato Jock Seng emphasized that the Philippines and Brunei are enjoying traditionally good relations, which are enhanced even more by close contacts between the two countries’ highest leaders, as well as the Filipino expatriate community in Brunei, whose contributions to society and the economy are very much appreciated.
Secretary Yasay thanked Brunei for its invaluable contributions to the Peace Process, as well as commitment to the development and prosperity of Mindanao.
On the South China Sea issue, the two Ministers agreed that there is need for sobriety and restraint and that maintaining peace, stability and harmony in the region is of paramount importance. Both sides also agreed to work hard for the timely conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, while at the same time observing restraint in the face of the historical ruling on the arbitration case filed by the Philippines with Permanent Court of Arbitration. END