Embassy Outreach

SPEECHES

GREETINGS MESSAGE
by U.S. Ambassador Emil Skodon
Event: Brunei's National Day -February 23, 2006. (As recorded on Kristal FM Radio)

This is Ambassador Emil Skodon, Ambassador of the United States of America to Negara Brunei Darussalam. 

On behalf of President Bush and the people of the United States, I would like to express Congratulations and best wishes to His Majesty, the Sultan and Yang di Pertuan of Negara Brunei Darussalam, and to the people of Brunei, on the occasion of Brunei’s 22nd National Day.

The United States was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Brunei following its independence in 1984, and since then our two nations have enjoyed a warm, friendly and mutually productive relationship.  The United States has appreciated the constructive role played by Brunei in the international arena, especially the strong uncompromising stands that His Majesty has taken against international terrorism, and in favor of greater understanding and tolerance amongst peoples of different backgrounds and religious beliefs.

The theme of this year’s National day in Brunei is “to increase the nation’s competitiveness”. The United States looks forward to supporting Brunei’s progress toward that goal. A few months ago, in Korea, His Majesty joined other leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian nations to meet with President Bush during the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.  Together they agreed to launch an ASEAN-United States Enhanced Partnership that is comprehensive, action-oriented and forward-looking, and comprises political, and security cooperation, economic cooperation and social and developmental cooperation.  As the Enhanced Partnership is implemented, we hope and expect that it will play a role in improving Brunei’s competitiveness as well as that of other ASEAN countries.  We look forward to greater trade and investment between America and Brunei to more personal contact between the people of our two countries, and especially to welcoming many more Bruneian students to study at American universities.

The Untied States has great respect for the achievements recorded by Brunei Darussalam over the last 22 years.  It is our hope that the growing partnership between our nations will contribute to additional economic, social, and political advancements in the future, for the benefit of the people of the Untied States and of Brunei.  Congratulations to Brunei on 22 years of independence from the government and people of the Untied States of America.

'Selamat Menyambut Hari Kebangsaan'

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