He said that both countries would state the matters concerning the overlapping areas in an exchange of letters which would be signed soon.
Abdullah said this at a media conference after a four-eyed meeting with the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, in conjunction with the 12th Malaysia-Brunei Bilateral Conference, here.
The problem of the overlapping territories between Malaysia and Brunei involved territorial waters which are rich in oil and gas deposits in the border areas between the two countries and the land boundary in Limbang, Sarawak in Malaysia.
Following the dispute in the sea boundary, oil and gas exploration works in the area concerned had been put off to allow for negotiations to be held between the two countries.
The Prime Minister hoped that the signing of the letters of exchange would be carried out very soon in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei or any other city in Malaysia.He said specific suggestion on the matter would be presented to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Abdullah was also asked whether the exchange of the letters between the two countries would mean that problems over the border dispute had been resolved.
"If the letters were signed, it would be an indication that the matters discussed had received mutual agreement, so once they are agreed upon, we can say that they have been resolved," the Prime Minister said.
Asked whether national oil corporation, Petronas, would be allowed to continue operations in the areas disputed by the two countries, Abdullah said it depended on what Brunei and Malaysia would agree upon.
He said that his discussion with the Sultan of Brunei also touched on the Frequent Travellers Card (FTC) which was launched last year to boost ties between the peoples of the two countries.
He said he and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah had agreed that the use of the FTC be promoted and used by more Malaysian and Brunei nationals.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister will accompany the Sultan of Brunei to attend a briefing on Iskandar Malaysia, the economic development corridor in southern Peninsular Malaysia.
(BERNAMA-OANA)
source: Malaysia-Brunei Reach Several Agreements on Overlapping Areas
Yahoo, Thailand
