The UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is visiting Brunei Darussalam this week (7 to 9 April), to forge closer trade and security ties with the country while tackling key global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and the coup in Myanmar.
It is Dominic Raab’s fourth visit to South East Asia as Foreign Secretary – and first since the publication of the Integrated Review – setting out the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific. Later this year, the UK’s Carrier Strike Group led by the HMS Queen Elizabeth, will make its maiden visit to the region.
Dominic Raab will travel to Commonwealth nation and current ASEAN chair, Brunei Darussalam, for several high level meetings tomorrow (Thursday 8 April) to discuss trade, climate, and security issues, with the British Garrison stationed in the country.
Related articles: NATIONAL DAY – BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Speaking ahead of the visit Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, said:
“This is my fourth visit to the region; to two key strategic partners, because the Indo-Pacific tilt is vital for the UK to grasp the economic opportunities and rise to the new challenges ahead.
“We’re deepening our trading relationships. The Carrier Strike Group’s deployment marks the start of a new era of defence cooperation. And the UK is investing in long term partnerships as a force for good in the region.”
In Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, the UK Foreign Secretary will have an audience with His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei before meeting Foreign Minister II Dato Erywan, where trade will be on the agenda given Brunei’s membership of the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership), which the UK hopes to accede to.
He will then join the second UK-ASEAN ministerial dialogue, to explore Dialogue Partner status for the UK, before returning to the UK.
Learn more: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office – GOV.UK
