Palace prepares for Brunei sultan's visit

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is now in the thick of preparations for the two-day state visit of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, who is scheduled to arrive Thursday. A Palace statement said several activities have been lined up for Bolkiah's visit, including a state dinner and bilateral talks between him and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. "(Mrs. Arroyo) will take up very important and vital matters with one of our strongest allies in the ASEAN - Brunei Darussalam," said outgoing press secretary Jesus Dureza. He said the bilateral talks will include employment, peace talks, BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area), connectivity between Brunei and the Philippines specifically Mindanao, and economic cooperation. Dureza described Bolkiah's upcoming visit as "a very important and significant event." The Palace noted that Philippines and Brunei, a major oil producer and the fourth biggest liquefied natural gas supplier in the world, share historical and cultural history. - GMANews.TV