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German Foreign Minister Wadephul in Brunei
From 5th to 6th February 2026, German Foreign Minister Dr. Johann Wadephul paid an official visit to Brunei, as final destination of a Pacific trip from Singapore to New Zealand, Tonga and Australia. His programme included a courtesy call to the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II, Pehin Halbi, and a visit to the site of Muara Maritime Services (MMS), a successful 50-50 joint venture of German shipbuilder Naval Vessels Lürssen and Darussalam Assets in order to maintain and modernize ships of the Bruneian navy. This joint venture has already added 280 new, qualified jobs to the Bruneian economy.
The highlight of the programme was an extensive working dinner on invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs II, Dato Erywan. Dato Erywan and his German counterpart Johann Wadephul have met three times within the last six months and could continue their discussions in a very cordial atmosphere in a Jerudong restaurant. The topics discussed ranged from strengthening bilateral relations, including options for more bilateral trade and investment, via ASEAN and other regional matters such as upholding the rule of law in the South China Sea to the global arena with many political uncertainties and the joint interest of both Brunei/ASEAN and Germany/EU to defend the rules-based international order and to negotiate even more free trade agreements.
German Foreign Minister Wadephul in a press statement in Brunei:
In the Indo-Pacific region, there is a strong interest in closer cooperation with Europe and especially with Germany. We have to seize this chance.
From a public speech in Singapore:
… resilience is not a given. It is a political and societal task. It must be built. It must be maintained. And it must be defended. Ultimately, when we speak about resilience, we speak about choice. And our choice is to uphold stability in times of uncertainty. Germany is enhancing national resilience. At the same time, we are strengthening our position by investing in regional unity. From our perspective, strengthening Europe is an integral part of the solution. And regional cohesion can also be part of the solution for this region.
We can choose to adapt to the new realities together. We can choose to preserve our values – together as partners. We can choose to recognise the sense of urgency. And to work together as an international community and to strengthen multilateralism. That is precisely why I am here. Because I am convinced that the Indo-Pacific is of decisive importance for Germany, for Europe. And vice versa. And because we – as Germans and as Europeans – want to build and strengthen partnerships that are solid, reliable, and capable of shaping a shared and prosperous future.
Minister Wadephul was accompanied by two Members of the German Parliament and a 30+ delegation from German government and media. The whole delegation felt very welcomed in Bandar Seri Begawan and enjoyed first-class Bruneian hospitality.
German Foreign Minister Wadephul in Brunei
