Montenegro and the State of Brunei Darussalam established formal diplomatic relations at an ambassadorial level

Continuing expanding its diplomatic network in Southern Asia, yesterday, on Monday January 18, 2010, the Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives of Montenegro and the State of Brunei Darussalam to the United Nations (UN) in New York City, N.Y., USA, respectively T.Exc. Messrs. Nebojša Kaluđerović, GCDO, and Latif bin Tuah, signed at the UN Office of the Brunei’s Permanent Representative a protocol with immediate effect on the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries at an ambassadorial level. The Government of H.M. The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam recognised Montenegro’s independence on August 19, 2006.

Since January 8, 1984, Brunei Darussalam is a Member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — a geo-political and economic organisation of ten countries including with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam, representing together an integrated regional market of about five hundred million people, whereby Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China will come into effect as early as 2012 followed by other FTAs with the Republic of Korea and Japan. Negotiations on similar arrangements are also underway with the European Union (EU).

Until now, Montenegro maintained diplomatic relations with seven of the ASEAN’s country members: Cambodia since October 12, 2009; Singapore since June 30, 2006; Vietnam since August 4, 2006; Malaysia since August 17, 2006; Burma (Myanmar) since November 27, 2006; Thailand since June 6, 2007; and the Philippines since September 26, 2009. Indonesia and Lao PDR recognised Montenegro’s independence in 2006, on July 24 and August 10, respectively.