Brunei Sultan visits the Netherlands

On January 13, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam was in the Netherlands for a quick visit. Queen Beatrix, Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima received the Sultan in audience at Noordeinde Palace. During a lunch offered at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague, Queen Beatrix said that this visit was ”an exceptional event”.

After the lunch with Queen Beatrix, Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima, the Sultan had an interview with the Prime Minister, Mark Rutte.

It is the first time the Sultan has brought an official visit to the Netherlands. Queen Beatrix has never been on a state visit to Brunei. Willem-Alexander and Máxima have met the Sultan in 2006 at the celebration of the jubilee of the King of Thailand. However, there has been a long economic cooperation between both countries, especially as Brunei has fossil fuels like oil and natural gas available.
“For many decades there has been a successful cooperation between Brunei and Shell in the exploitation of these fuels,” said Queen Beatrix in her speech.

Filed under Brunei, The Netherlands
Tagged Bilateral Relations, King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands, Official Visit, Prime Minister Rutte of the Netherlands, Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei.