PARIS, Thursday 7 April 2011 - The Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam was in Paris on 6 April 2011 for the 9th Joint Defence Working Committee Meeting (JDWC). The team was headed by Deputy Permanent Secretary (Administration & Finance), Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Azmansham bin Pengiran Hj Mohamad.
The meeting agenda included an update on the structure and re-organisations of both countries defence establishments as well as the status of French defence equipments. Both countries also discussed several strategic issues of mutual importance. There was also sharing of information and update on upcoming events to be organised by MINDEF and France’s defence establishments, that is, BRIDEX 2011 and Paris AirShow. Apart from the 9th JDWC Meeting, the Brunei Darussalam delegation also took the opportunity to visit several defence institutions.
Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of France inked an Agreement concerning Defence Cooperation in defence matters and defence equipment on 25 February 1999. Since the Agreement, there has been gradual progress in the bilateral defence cooperation between both countries.
The 10th JDWC is expected to be held in Brunei Darussalam at a date and venue to be announced later. Brunei Darussalam’s delegation left Paris on the 9th April 2011.