Brunei–Russia relations

Brunei–Russia relations
Map indicating locations of Brunei and Russia

Brunei
Russia

Brunei and Russia established diplomatic relations in 1991. Brunei maintains an embassy in Moscow, while Russia has an embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan.[1]

Background of Soviet-era relations

In 1987, Mikhail Gorbachev called for the establishment of diplomatic relations with Brunei.[2] Although the Soviet ambassador to Singapore attempted to establish said relations with Brunei in 1988, the Sultanate was unprepared to establish relations with the Communist state at the time. On 1 October 1991, Brunei established relations with the Soviet Union.[3][4]

Post-Soviet relations

President Vladimir Putin with Hassanal Bolkiah in Bandar Seri Begawan in 2000.

In 2000, President Vladimir Putin arrived in Brunei for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, and met with the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, in the Nurul Iman Palace.[5]

On 10 June 2005, the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, made the first official visit to Russia by a head of state of Brunei. According to Gennady Chufrin, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the visit marked a serious step towards the establishment of bilateral relations.[6]

On 1 December 2008, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed an order to establish a Russian embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan. Andrei Nesterenko, the spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the establishment of a Russian embassy in the Brunei capital would help to intensify issues surrounding the Brunei–Russia relationship.[7]

As of January 2018, Brunei and Russia maintain a visa-free regime for ordinary passport holders, for visits up to 14 days, for a maximum total stay of 90 days within any 180 day period.

References

  1. ^ "Home". brunei.mid.ru. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  2. ^ In the Shadow of Giants, A. James Gregor, pg 160
  3. ^ Gorbachev and Southeast Asia By Leszek Buszynski, pg 211
  4. ^ Политические контакты (in Russian). Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 5 May 2009. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
  5. ^ "Sultan of Brunei receives Russian president". Interfax at the BBC. 15 November 2000. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  6. ^ Бруней проявляет заинтересованность в российском оружии Archived 24 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Russia to set up embassy in Brunei Darussalam". Bandar Seri Begawan: The Brunei Times. 5 December 2008. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 7 June 2009.


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