ASEAN-New Zealand political and security relations: Lim Jock Seng provides a Brunei Darussalam perspective.

• Author: Seng, Lim Jock
• Position: Essay

Brunei Darussalam's relationship with New Zealand is very close, both bilaterally and through the ASEAN process. Within ASEAN, it began in July 1985 when Brunei Darussalam, shortly after joining the association, became a country co-ordinator for ASEAN-New Zealand dialogue relations, a three-year role. Politically, the two countries' leaders, ministers and senior officials have established warm friendship and good contacts. Economically, New Zealand is one of Brunei Darussalam important trading partners. On the multilateral level Brunei Darussalam values New Zealand's interest and participation in ASEAN affairs, which have been substantial in the last 40 years and are still very strong.

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ASEAN's relationship with New Zealand started as early as 1975. Two years later, ASEAN leaders had a summit meeting with New Zealand's leader in Kuala Lumpur. Since then the dialogue relations have developed into a close partnership in many areas of co-operation based on mutual interests and commitment towards promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of ASEAN--New Zealand relations. A number of commemorative activities have been proposed to mark this very important milestone, including a commemorative summit, ASEAN-New Zealand youth summit, ASEAN--New Zealand business summit, an ASEAN night market in New Zealand, an ASEAN-New Zealand young business leaders' forum, a fellowship scheme for ASEAN visitors to New Zealand and a New Zealand trade mission to ASEAN member states. All these will promote goodwill and better understanding among our people at various levels and, at the same time, provide an opportunity to explore new ideas and strategies in strengthening our future co-operation.

Many of us in ASEAN feel an affinity with New Zealand. Firstly, we all admire and appreciate what a small state like New Zealand has achieved on the world stage. To name a few, it has world class teams in sports like rugby and sailing; it is famous for its incredible beautiful scenery in the Lord of the Rings movie series; it is known globally for its innovative and challenging information technology; and although small in population, it has an economically advanced society. Secondly, over the past four decades, ASEAN and New Zealand have had a very fruitful and relatively trouble-free relationship. Indeed, we have a lot to learn from New Zealand.

Brunei Darussalam, in particular, is very appreciative of the friendship and support that New Zealand has shown to us for decades, both bilaterally and through the ASEAN process. When Brunei Darussalam joined ASEAN in 1984, one of the assignments given to us was to become a country co-ordinator for one of the six dialogue partners. In that way, each ASEAN country was assigned to handle one dialogue partner. So Brunei Darussalam became a country co-ordinator for the ASEAN--New Zealand dialogue relations in July 1985 for a period of three years. Our role was to co-chair the annual ASEAN-New Zealand ministerial meeting, alternately host and co-chair the ASEAN--New Zealand dialogue meetings with our New Zealand counterparts and co-ordinate all the activities and programmes relating to the ASEAN-New Zealand dialogue.

Early insight

In fact, prior to Brunei Darussalam's membership of ASEAN, I had the privilege of leading the Brunei Darussalam delegation, as an observer, to attend the ASEAN--New Zealand meeting in Wellington in November 1983, which gave me an early insight into the many issues and subject matters involved in ASEAN--New Zealand dialogue relations. In addition to my role as the director-general of ASEAN-Brunei Darussalam then, I was appointed as the non-resident high commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to New Zealand in February 1986. This greatly helped me to establish warm personal ties with many New Zealand friends, including the then prime minister and foreign minister of New Zealand, the late David Lange, who extended me a very warm friendship and close working relations. This also facilitated closer co-ordination between our two countries, both bilaterally and regionally. My role was very clear: to reaffirm and work together in strengthening our commitment with New Zealand both for our bilateral co-operation and for the benefit of the region we share.

Despite the physical distance that separates us, Brunei Darussalam and New Zealand have remained close friends. Politically, our leaders, ministers and senior officials have established warm friendship and good contacts. Military personnel from New Zealand and Brunei Darussalam have undertaken joint exercises and training in the Brunei jungles, which have benefitted our two nations. Close co-operation exists between Brunei Darussalam's Ministry of Defence and Massey University, which helps facilitate the running of courses for the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Command and Staff College. We are pleased that the collaboration was expanded to include a master's degree programme in 2013, which will help the academy move towards achieving its goal of becoming a centre of excellence. Our defence and military officials have been working together through regular joint military exercises and...