Statement by the Press Secretary on the visit of Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam to the White House

President Obama will welcome His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam to the White House on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. The United States and Brunei have strong bilateral relations and have a shared interest in working together to ensure the continued peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia Pacific region. The President looks forward to discussing preparations for the East Asia Summit and U.S.-ASEAN Summit, which will be held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei in October, and to consulting with His Majesty on a broad range of strategic and economic issues of mutual concern.

The Sultan’s visit underscores the strategic importance the President places on the Asia Pacific region and to substantive engagement with our friends and partners in the region.  It highlights the President’s commitment to participating fully in the region’s multilateral forums in order to foster cooperation, maintain stability and promote economic growth.  The visit also provides an opportunity for the two leaders to continue progress on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).